A Year of Celebration and Reflection

 Several important milestones were reached in 2006 for Hoyt Arboretum.   As well as being the 75^th anniversary of the first trees planted, 2006 was the 20^th anniversary of the founding of Hoyt Arboretum Friends (HAF) and 20 years of successful partnership between Portland Parks & Recreation (PPR) and HAF. 

 In the 1930’s the Arboretum was planned by landscape designer John W. Duncan and the first saplings were planted.  Many of the original collection trees were coast redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens) and giant sequoias (Sequoia giganteum), only 4-6 feet tall.   Now, 75 years later they loom more than 150 feet above the Redwood Trail.

 The original plan was to grow and exhibit 501 species of trees from around the world, organized by their scientific relationships.  Today there are over 1,000 different species of trees from all seven continents and 8,000 trees total.  With resources from both the public sector and Hoyt Arboretum Friends, more planting has occurred in the last five years than in any of the preceding decades, other than the original planting spree in the 1930’s.

TREES AND PLANTS

 New Trees

 Hoyt Arboretum is one of the few places on earth where such a wide variety of trees and plants can be grown.  As part of the ongoing effort to educate the community about the irreplaceable value of plants and to continue the legacy of the original designers and planters, 65  trees and shrubs  were planted and 68 trees and shrubs were added to the nursery for future planting in 2006. 

New Collection trees of particular interest are:

Pseudopanax laetevirens (Araliaceae)

A remarkable broadleaved evergreen shrub with good textural qualities.  Common throughout the rich flora of S. Chile, this shrub looks much like a finely textured Shefflera.  In the summer one can expect umbels of white flowers  and pinkish-purple fruit in the fall.  The seeds from which this plant was grown were collected by Eric Hammond in S. Chile in 2000. 

 Ribes davidii (Grossulariaceae)

This unusual evergreen species related to our native Ribes sanguineum (Gooseberry) came from a Daniel J. Hinkley collection from the summit of Emei Shan (Mountain) in Japan in 1996.  The round glossy leaves are less than 2” and pick up colorful autumn tints of red.

 Neolitsea sericea (Lauraceae)

This interesting evergreen, medium sized tree with glossy green, leathery leaves was collected by Daniel J. Hinkley from 1200' in Chiba Prefecture on Honshu (Japan) in the autumn of 1997.  When it matures we can expect clusters of whitish green flowers and crops of colorful red fruit in autumn.  The new spring foliage emerges looking almost limp but covered with golden silky hair that some say looks like a puppy dog’s ear.  For some this has proven to be a nice evergreen tree that is rarely encountered in Pacific Northwest landscapes.

 Aextoxicon punctatum (Euphorbiaceae)

In 2000, Eric Hammond collected at this interesting broadleaved evergreen plant at 1520' on the road from Pucon through Curarrehua toward Argentina. Growing among many broad-leaved evergreens such as Persea, Gevuina, Hydrangea,  and Drimys.  Although not obvious, it is related to familiar plants such as pointsettia and flowering spurge. 

Deutzia scabra (Hydrangeaceae)

The seeds were collected southeast of Gojo, Japan near a tourist village, November 5, 1997.

Hydrangea paniculata (Hydrangeaceae)

This old-fashioned hydrangea was collected by Daniel J. Hinkley on his trip through the central highlands of Taiwan and represents a different expression of the typical foliage one expects from this plant.  If it grows similarly to the plant from which the seeds were collected, it should take on bluish tints in the leaves near the stem and the flowers will exceed 10”. 

 The vast majority of all new plants added to the Collection were grown from seeds collected in the wild.

Portland Parks’ staff and volunteers continued to care for the trees, trails and facilities at Hoyt in 2006.  Special maintenance of the Magnolia area and around the Stevens Pavilion this year was provided and financed through HAF’s Gardener Initiative, which is supported solely by donors and members.

Irrigation Project

 This year the first phase of the Irrigation Project, funded by the members of Hoyt Arboretum Friends, was completed in the Magnolia Collection area.   For the first time the Magnolias were thoroughly watered throughout the summer and already there has been a huge difference in the health and appearance of the trees.    The leaves are greener, larger and more robust-looking after only a season of extra watering.  Many of the trees in the Arboretum Collection receive rain during the summer in their natural environments and will benefit greatly by having water in summer.  Irrigation will eventually result in an upgrade in the quality of the Collection generally – a clear benefit for visitors, scientists and researchers.

 The Irrigation Plan took over a year to design and will take at least another five to ten years to fully fund and bring to completion.  The combination of donor contributions, planning by the partnership between Parks and Friends and project management by Parks staff makes the construction of this very valuable asset possible.

Redwoods Renovation

 In 2006 Phase I of the Redwoods Renovation Plan was completed when the firms of Ceccacci & Associates and Koch Landscape Architecture developed a Redwoods Renovation Concept Plan for the Arboretum.  This is a comprehensive development plan for improving:

 ~ public  access and understanding of the collection through trails, visibility   of  trees, and interpretive signage.

 ~ protection strategies for the existing collection and future additions.

 ~ age and species diversity of the collection.

 The heart of the plan is to restore the beloved and valuable Redwood Collection to full health by reducing overcrowding, adding specimens, and providing irrigation.

 In early 2007 the Initial Implementation Phase (Phase II), began when several of the original trees were removed in order to create sufficient growing space for the healthier trees.

 In the coming years HAF will be working to develop further funding for this project which will serve as a model for renovation that is needed throughout much of the Arboretum.  Other phases in the Redwoods Renovation Plan will address the following improvements:

~ an irrigation system to mimic the native habitat’s  “summer rain” climate.

~ repositioning of trails to provide better wheelchair access and a loop route.  

~ ongoing removal of non-native invasive plants and maintenance care for the existing trees and providing an understory of swordfern and other appropriate plants.

~ adding viewpoints and decks for visitors and school groups to congregate, rest and see the trees more closely.

~ new plantings of other related Cupressaceae family species, including some endangered species, and younger pedigreed specimens.

~ adding retaining walls, trail railings and small bridges to prevent erosion and protect the trees’ root systems.

 EDUCATION AND OUTREACH

 Website

 In late 2006 a new Hoyt Arboretum website was launched.  This year-long project was accomplished through the efforts of Hoyt Arboretum Friends’ staff, designer Steve Donatelli and ONE/Northwest, a nonprofit consulting firm which provides technical assistance and support for environmental groups.

 The new website has in-depth information about Hoyt Arboretum for a variety of audiences – HAF members and supporters, visitors, renters, families, students and scientists.  Visitors to the website can download maps, get directions and plan a trip to the Arboretum.  More complete information about research and conservation, learning opportunities and the tree collections can now be found on the website, as well as many beautiful images of this special place.

2006 Events

 Hoyt Arboretum Friends staff, board members and volunteers put together several major events in 2006 to celebrate and reflect upon present and past achievements and to provide education and outreach to those  not thoroughly familiar with Hoyt Arboretum.  The following is a list of some of the public and private events at Hoyt in 2006.

Meet the Trees

 Every weekend in August and September HAF board members and volunteers provided maps and information about trees, an activity map just for kids and free lemonade to hundreds of visitors.  The children’s activity map was developed and printed specifically for this event but has been so popular that it is now carried in the Visitor Center as part of the inventory of educational brochures.

75^th Anniversary Celebration

 In late July 2006 over 100 supporters gathered in the Stevens Pavilion to celebrate the 75^th anniversary of the first trees planted in Hoyt Arboretum and 20 years of successful partnership between Portland Parks and Recreation and Hoyt Arboretum Friends.  HAF members, current and former board members,  current and former volunteers, Portland Parks employees, neighbors and other friends of Hoyt shared memories and stories of days gone by and expressed hopes for the future of the Arboretum.

Members Only Tour

New members of Hoyt Arboretum Friends (HAF) were invited to attend a special tour of the Arboretum with local tree expert Jim Gersbach.   Two more tours or this type are planned for 2007.    

Jim has been a Hoyt Arboretum volunteer guide for more than 15 years and is a past HAF board member.  He is also a volunteer tree planting crew leader with the urban tree planting organization Friends of Trees (FOT), and has served as their board president in the past.   In 2005 he won the prestigious Bill Naito Community Trees award for his work with FOT creating the Ainsworth Linear Arboretum

 Arborists in the Arboretum

Skilled arborists from throughout the region donated their services to help maintain the health of the Hoyt Arboretum plant collections on a Saturday in September 2006, as they have every year since 1986.

Bamboo Festival

 The Pacific Northwest Chapter of the American Bamboo Society and Hoyt Arboretum sponsored a Bamboo Festival in July 2006. This free, one-day event was open to the public and included plant and merchandise sales, and a program with speakers.  It was a great opportunity to learn about bamboo and the ways it can be used as a sustainable building material.

New Brand Identity

 In 2006 the HAF Board Marketing Committee finished a 3-year project to develop and implement a new brand identity.  The guidelines, messages and images now used are tools to help move effectively and strategically towards a fuller realization of the Arboretum’s mission.  The outward signs of the new brand identity are a fresh look and feel to the logo and tagline, typography and color palette and business and marketing materials.  Research and strategic planning was conducted by the Marketing Committee.  This lead to an in-depth messaging platform, another tool enabling Hoyt staff and volunteers to tell the Hoyt Arboretum story in a consistent and compelling way.

Interpretive Signs

Seven new interpretive signs were developed, produced and installed at the major trailhead entrances to help visitors plan their trip to the Arboretum, to understand what is available to them and orient themselves along the 12 miles of trails.  

 These signs are an addition to the 6,300 identification labels and other interpretive signage for the Magnolia Collection, the Conifer Collection, the Dogwood Collection the Maple Collection and the Native Plant Collection.  Together they provide an enhanced experience for visitors and a source of information for those wanting to know more about the trees and plants of the Arboretum.

Portland Parks and Recreation Classes, Tours and Programs

 Hoyt Arboretum continues to be an attractive site for classrooms studying trees and nature, adults wanting to learn more about specific species of trees and/or Oregon natural history, and families wishing to combine exercise with learning more about their environment.   In 2006 Portland Parks Environmental Education offered guided tours, classes and camps at the Arboretum for school groups, adults, and families.

 Green Walks Tours

 These tours consist of a walk for about 1.5 hours with a naturalist pointing out seasonal observations and describing natural history in addition to leading specific activities such as measuring leaves or counting tree rings. Some groups add to their experience with stewardship activities, such as studying the impact of ivy and removing it from a specific area.   In 2006, tours were giving monthly from April through October.

Summer Nature Camp

 Nature Day Camps are offered to youngsters between the ages of 5 and 14 during the summer months.   The camps are a first-hand experience with nature through hiking, scientific observation, forest crafts and story-telling for students ages 5 to 13.  Each child spends 30+ hours a week at camp.

 Ladybug Walks

 Preschool children participated in several one-hour guided walks in the Arboretum in 2006.  Techniques necessary for developing good observational skills were practiced.

 The following are the PPR programs attendance figures for Hoyt Arboretum during 2006.

Total Visitors receiving educational experiences through PPR programs: 2,233
Total Adults: 431
Total Youngsters under 18: 1,802
             Preschool: 236 (13%)

            Grades K-2: 883 (49%)
            Grades 3 - 5: 442 ( 24.5%)
            Middle School: 16 (0.9%)
            High School: 12 (0.7%)
            Camp: 213 (11.8%)

Newsletters, Newsflashes and E-Mail Alerts

 In 2006 HAF members received information on new trees planted, volunteer activities and awards, conservation efforts, events and Hoyt history throughout the year.

 In an effort to reduce the amount of paper used and pieces of mail sent, members  received fewer full newsletters this year.  Instead, smaller “newflashes”  were mailed quarterly and members were encouraged to sign up to be included in an e-mail list to receive HAF news electronically.   

VISITOR SERVICES

 Over 250,000 people visit the Arboretum each year.  Hoyt Arboretum Friends continues to provide services, education, interpretation and enhanced experiences for the many visitors wanting to know more about the Arboretum.

 Maps and Brochures

 This year more than 45,000 educational brochures and maps were distributed to the public through the Visitor Center, trail boxes in the Arboretum,  the Portland Oregon Visitor Association and other outlets.

 Visitors can obtain a variety of educational brochures, route maps and other materials in the brochure boxes and in the Visitor Center during Visitor Center hours.  Volunteer greeters are also on hand in the Visitor Center to answer questions, help interpret the collections and sell items in the gift shop.

 Some of the free materials available through the Visitor Center are:  “The Language of Plants”, “Conifers of Hoyt Arboretum”, “Rentals”, “Native Tree and Shrub Walk”, “Winter Walks”, “Experience Fall”, “Celebrate Spring ”, “1-Mile Walk in Hoyt Arboretum”, 2-Mile Walk in Hoyt Arboretum”, “4-Mile Walk in Hoyt Arboretum”, “1-Mile Walk for Strollers and Wheelchairs”, “Meet the Trees”,  “Hoyt Arboretum Arborist Partners”, “Walking in Washington Park”, “Driving in Washington Park” and the Plant Inventory Guide.  Some of these are now on the Hoyt website as well.

 Children’s Activity Brochure

 A children’s activity map and brochure was developed and published by HAF board member Maggie Kean to augment one of the 2006 HAF events, “Meet the Trees”.  The children’s brochure, also called “Meet the Trees”, is now available in the brochure box outside the Visitor Center at all times. 

 Arborist Partners Brochure

 A brochure was developed by HAF staff in 2006 to explain the work of the certified arborists who partner with and work in Hoyt Arboretum.  This brochure, “Hoyt Arboretum Arborist Partners” is available in the Visitor Center or by request for those needing information on tree care and arborist services.

 Plant Inventory Guide

 Each year a new list of all the species of trees planted in the Arboretum is published and distributed through the  Visitor Center.  This year, because free printing was donated by Portland General Electric, over 100 free guides were given out to interested visitors.   The plant inventory guide includes the names (Latin and common), locations, size, year planted and number of each of the species of trees in the Hoyt Collection.

                                       FUNDRAISING AND FINANCES

2006 Income  

2006 Expenses

VOLUNTEERS

 2006 was a banner year for Hoyt volunteers.  In March, Hoyt Arboretum’s dedicated, long-time volunteer group, the Tuesday Crew, received the 2006 Bill Naito Community Trees Award at Portland’s Arbor Day Celebration.  This prestigious award is given each year to honor individuals, organizations, and projects that promote and enhance Portland’s urban forest.  The Urban Forestry Commission made the selection to recognize the Tuesday Crew’s longevity and commitment to Hoyt Arboretum and to acknowledge the Hoyt staff for their ability to cultivate a positive relationship with these volunteers for 20 years.

Volunteers have been involved with Hoyt Arboretum since 1976 and continue to enhance all aspects of the Arboretum operations.  In 2006, volunteers and the  HAF Board of Directors contributed substantially in the areas of gardening, special events planning and staffing, Visitor Center staffing, surveying, database maintenance, marketing, strategic planning, development, fundraising and public relations.

In addition, groups, such as the Bonneville Power Administration and Mercycorp’s YEI Youth Crew, contributed many hours of gardening and trail maintenance during organized work days.

List of 2006 Hoyt Arboretum Volunteers

 
SUPPORTERS AND FRIENDS

Support for the Arboretum comes in many forms – members, volunteers, event participants, corporate donors and legacy gifts to name a few.  Greater support means more beautiful and visible trees, more learning opportunities for all ages, and better access to the collection for scientists and conservationists around the world.  Thanks to all the friends of Hoyt Arboretum!  Together we are making a difference in enhancing and maintaining this valuable “living museum” for future generations.

List of 2006 HAF Donors

Hoyt Arboretum Friends Board of Directors Ballot for 2007 - 2008