| In many ways, life at
The Berry Botanic Garden is following its typical spring pattern:
the rhododendrons are in bloom, volunteers are potting up
plants, and visitors are finding their way here in greater
numbers. But in other ways, things are profoundly different
this spring, ever since the announcement in January that BBG
will be winding down its operations here. On a daily basis
the staff is asked questions such as, “How long will the garden
be open?” “When will the property be sold?” “What will happen
to your job?” “What will happen to the special plants?” As
of now, none of these questions has answers, which makes for
furrowed brows for our members and ourselves.
In the interest of transparency, the announcement
about shutting down the Garden was made before all the details
were worked out. What is known is this: the nonprofit can’t
continue to operate a botanic garden with the financial resources
it has, and every day it stays open it spends more than it
takes in. Therefore the board of directors is working to find
a buyer for the property and to disburse the assets of the
nonprofit as expeditiously as possible. The Garden has many
tangible assets besides the property to distribute -- the
plant materials, household items, the seed bank; and it has
intangible assets, such as the history of the Garden, the
legacy of Mrs. Berry, the reputation of the conservation program,
and the appreciation shared by staff and volunteers for each
other. All of these things and more must be thoughtfully considered.
Some things will be moved to new homes, some will be sold,
some will cease to be and some things will evolve into something
brand new. Here, however, are a few things we know for certain:
• Plants of many different kinds are for sale in the nursery
until further notice. • The garden will be open to members
and the public by appointment, Sunday through Friday (closed
Saturdays and most holidays), 9am-4pm, through October 1,
2010. Please check our web site for summer hours.
• Our conservation
staff, Dr. Ed Guerrant, Erin Riggs and Christa von Behren
will continue their important work collecting and banking
threatened and endangered plant seeds and reintroducing plants
to the wild. I hope you will
“stay tuned” to find out how this momentous transition plan
develops. I am confident that there is a silver lining to
the grey clouds and that some crucial aspects of The Berry
Botanic Garden mission will survive and be manifest in new
and exciting ways. The board members, the staff and I all
look forward to telling you the details of this transformation,
as soon as we have them! In the meantime, please schedule
a springtime visit to the garden right away, by calling Kris
Freitag at (503) 636-4112 x 102.
If you have urgent questions or comments, please contact the Garden: 503-636-4112 ext. 101.
Frequently Asked Questions
What decisions have been made about the Garden's future?
At the end of 2009 the board of directors made the difficult decision to begin winding down operations at the Garden. Steps are being taken to disburse the assets of the garden including its program; in the near future the nonprofit will be dissolved and the property will be sold.
Why was this decided?
The downturn of the economy in 2008 - 2009 prompted the board of directors to take a hard look at the Garden's finances and operations. The remote location, limited parking, land-use restrictions that prohibit revenue-generating activities, and declining membership-all have contributed to a persistent gap between revenues and expenses. 2009 was spent looking at every possible option for running the Garden, but no plan was financially viable. Given the current economic climate and the decline in the organization's assets, the board decided that the property must be sold so that the assets can be re-directed to a new expression of the core values that have guided The Berry Botanic Garden.
Who did the board talk with before making this decision?
During 2009 the board of directors met with 30 representatives in Portland's conservation and gardening network from higher education, government, nonprofit organizations, seeking a new way to continue operation of the Garden. None of these discussions have so far resulted in a viable plan for continuing the operation of the Garden.
How will the assets from the sale be used?
The proceeds from the sale of the property will be used to create a new home for the conservation program and Berry seed bank at Portland State University. Proceeds from the sale will fund endowments that will secure the continuation of the conservation work we currently do here. PSU has the leadership, academic quality, institutional vision and commitment necessary to strengthen the conservation program and honor the legacy of Mrs. Berry.
Will the Garden be open to members and visitors this spring?
Yes. The Garden will remain open to members and visitors
by appointment, through October 1, 2010. As before, visitors
are asked to call in advance of their visit, and to sign in
on the log in the entry hall of the house.
What will happen to the valuable plants?
A Property Disposition Steering Committee, comprised of board and staff, is drawing up a detailed transition plan for all of the organization's assets, including its plants. Every effort will be made to save the valuable plants that can be transferred and to sell or donate all other plants.
Will members be sent renewal notices this year?
No. All members who paid dues in June 2009 or later will remain current members throughout 2010 or until further notice.
Who should I contact with the remaining questions I have?
You may call The Berry Botanic Garden to speak to Kris Freitag, Membership Services at (503) 636-4112 x 102, or to Margaret Eickmann, Interim Executive Director, x 101.
| 
