Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden Inc

THE LEWIS GINTER BOTANICAL GARDEN WILL ADDRESS RECOMMENDATIONS FROM A COLLECTIONS ASSESSMENT FOR PRESERVATION (CAP) REPORT THAT HIGHLIGHTED CHALLENGES THE HORTICULTURE STAFF FACE IN MAINTAINING CLIMATE ZONES SPECIFIC TO THE NEEDS OF PLANTS DUE TO THE GARDEN’S AGING INFRASTRUCTURE. PROJECT ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE REPLACING THE ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING SYSTEM, THE LOUVERS AND SHADES IN GARDEN BUILDINGS, AND THE GREENHOUSE MISTING SYSTEM. AS A RESULT, THE GARDEN WILL CONTINUE TO PROTECT, PRESERVE AND EXPAND THE BOTANICAL COLLECTION INCLUDING THREATENED TAXA, WHICH IS ESSENTIAL TO SUPPORTING THE GARDEN’S FUNCTIONS AND MISSION.

THE LEWIS GINTER BOTANICAL GARDEN WILL REHOUSE AND STORE THE LORA M. ROBINS LIBRARY COLLECTIONS AND ARCHIVES. PROJECT ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE THE INSTALLATION OF A COMPACT STORAGE SYSTEM WITH CLOSED STORAGE FOR RARE BOOKS, CABINETS FOR WORKS ON PAPER, SHELVING FOR OBJECTS AND ARCHIVAL BOXES, AND ART RACKS FOR HANGING FRAMED WORKS. THE COLLECTION CONTAINS ORIGINAL WATERCOLOR BOTANICAL ILLUSTRATIONS, HERBARIUM SPECIMENS, AND WATERCOLORS FROM THE LEE MEMORIAL PARK WILDFLOWER AND BIRD SANCTUARY, AND APPROXIMATELY 300 VOLUMES OF BOTANICAL AND HORTICULTURAL BOOKS WITH AN EMPHASIS ON THE MID-ATLANTIC REGION. THE REHOUSING PROCESS WILL ALLOW STAFF TO ASSESS THE CONDITION AND DOCUMENTATION OF EACH COLLECTION ITEM AS IT IS PROCESSED, WHILE THE OVERALL PROJECT WILL INCREASE ACCESSIBILITY TO THE COLLECTIONS FOR RESEARCH, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING, DIGITIZATION, AND EXHIBITION PURPOSES.

THE BOTANICAL GARDEN WILL PROVIDE EDUCATION AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR VOLUNTEERS IN THE COMMUNITY REGARDING THE ORGANIZATION'S WORK ON PREVENTING STORM WATER RUN-OFF INTO A LOCAL LAKE BY PLANTING NATIVE SPECIES OF PLANTS ALONG THE SHORELINE, REMOVING INVASIVE PLANTS, CORRECTING THE GRADING, AND INSTALLING A RAIN GARDEN. THIS PROJECT ALSO PROPOSES TO PROTECT AND IMPROVE WATER QUALITY IN THE CHESAPEAKE BAY WATERSHED BY MANAGING STORMWATER RUN-OFF ALONG ITS SYDNOR KAKE SHORELINE. THE PROJECT WILL PRESENT EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES ABOUT WATER QUALITY BMP'S, RESTORATION METHODOLOGY, RAINGARDEN FUNCTION AND THE DIVERSE PALETTE OF NATIVE PLANTS THAT THRIVE IN CHALLENGING CONDITIONS.

THE LEWIS GINTER BOTANICAL GARDEN WILL EXPAND ITS POPULAR LENDING SEED LIBRARY, A CIRCULATING COLLECTION OF SEEDS AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE TO BORROW, PLANT, HARVEST, SAVE, AND RETURN FOR OTHERS TO BORROW. HOME GARDENING INCREASED DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC,, DRIVING INTEREST IN THE GARDEN'S PROGRAMMING. THE SEED LIBRARY FUNCTIONS BOTH AS A LENDING SERVICE AND AN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM, PROVIDING STAFF AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO EDUCATE PARTICIPANTS THROUGH WORKSHOPS, TALKS, AND LITERATURE ON SEED SAVING METHODS, STARTING FROM SEED, BIODIVERSITY, HISTORY AND TRADITIONS FOR FOOD PRODUCTION AND GARDENING IN VIRGINIA, AND OTHER ALLIED TOPICS. GARDEN STAFF WILL MAKE THE COMMUNITY SEED LIBRARY MOBILE, PROVIDING AN OUTREACH PROGRAM FOR PUBLIC LIBRARIES, SCHOOLS, AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS IN THE CENTRAL VIRGINIA REGION.

NATIONAL AWARD FOR MUSEUM SERVICE

TO SUPPORT AN OUTDOOR EXHIBITION OF KINETIC SCULPTURES BY ARTIST GEORGE SHERWOOD AND RELATED PERFORMING ARTS PROGRAMMING.

TO SUPPORT GARDENFEST OF LIGHTS AN ART-THEMED LIGHT EXHIBITION AT THE LEWIS GINTER BOTANICAL GARDEN.