Speak Up to Help Save the Washington Park Arboretum Threatened by State Budget Cuts

Interim University of Washington president Phyllis Wise has called out the Arboretum for reduction or elimination of funding as part of the fallout from the stark reality of state budget scenarios. Surely cutting the lifeline to the living greenspace in the heart of our city is shortsighted.

Wise has only painful choices. We aren't sure yet just how ugly the cuts will be for the UW in 2011-2013, but the scenario is grim; the governor's proposed cuts for this biennium are $189.8 million and it's possible the UW's approporitation could be cut up to 40 percent (without factoring in tuition increases).

I hope you'll take a moment to contact the legislators listed below and beg them to preserve the funding for our beloved Arboretum. Here are a few good reasons:

-The Arb is not only a city park, but a botanical garden and a living classroom of great academic value for UW students. Classes in horticulture, forestry, landscape architecture, biology, education, geology and art are offered in the Arboretum, and more than 6,000 school kids visit every year.

-250,000 people visit this regional treasure every year; it's open to everyone to learn about and enjoy nature, science and gardening through its beauty and educational programs. Where else can you so thoroughly immerse yourself in nature in the city, from forests to wetlands?

-The Arboretum is a living museum, internationally recognized for its plant collections. It plays an increasing role in worldwide plant conservation and is an invaluable resource for the horticultural industry. The Arboretum collections have been cared for by the UW staff for 75 years, and for generations, people have given time, money, and their hearts to preserve and enhance the Arboretum. The thought of its plants going untended and this majestic place going into decline is heartbreaking. Surely, in a state as rich as ours, there's money to protect and preserve the historic, living, breathing Washington Park Arboretum?

Here's who to contact, and right away, as the state budget is under debate. Please add your own thoughts, stories and passion for the Arboretum to ensure that the Arboretum survives:

House Higher Education Committee Chairs

Rep. Larry Seaquist (D) Chair
132C Legislative Building
PO Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504-0600
(360) 786-7802
larry.seaquist@leg.wa.gov
 
Rep. Reuven Carlyle, (D) Vice Chair
104 Modular Building E
PO Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504-0600
(360) 786-7814
 
Senate Higher Education Committee Chairs
Sen. Rodney Tom, (D) Chair
220 John A. Cherberg Building
PO Box 40448, Olympia, WA 98504-0448
(360) 786-7694
tom.rodney@leg.wa.gov
 
Sen. Paull Shin (D) Vice Chair
407 Legislative Building
PO Box 40421
Olympia, WA 98504-0421
(360) 786-7640
Fax: (360) 786-1999
shin.paull@leg.wa.gov
 
Legislators of the 43rd District (Arboretum District)
Rep. Frank Chopp (D)
339C Legislative Building
PO Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504-0600
(360) 786-7920
frank.chopp@leg.wa.gov
 
Rep. Jamie Pederson (D)
MOD B102
PO Box 40600 Olympia, WA 98504-0600
(360) 786-7826
jamie.pedersen@leg.wa.gov
 
Sen. Ed Murray (D)
303 John A. Cherberg Building
PO Box 40443
Olympia, WA 98504-0443
(360) 786-7628
murray.edward@leg.wa.gov
 
Find your legislators:
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspx
 
University of Washington Provost
Dr. Mary Lidstrom
Campus location: G80 Gerberding
 
Letter address
University of Washington
Box 351202
Seattle, WA 98195
(206) 616-0804
lidstrom@u.washington.edu

Comments

[Mary Perez]

Gave this some thought and as an avid gardener and lover of nature it's a difficult call...How can we use our limited financial resources-- help the sick, elderly, children, education,roads. We may need a large volunteer staff to work at our parks and gardens until our state recovers financially. Know this is a far from perfect solution...Am a volunteer gardener at a Camp for Disabled kids- it's hard work, but rewarding. Creative thinking will be needed--work program for prisoners...bus loads of students to weed...college credit for volunteer work??

[Chris]

I agree with the previous commentor...it's very hard to know where to put our resources when so many are in need of it...especially education programs, elderly and many, many people not as fortunate as some of us.
Even if the park no longer gets the funding it enjoyed in the past, I really don't think it will go into decline as so many love it and I'm sure would be willing to pick up the slack with their time and donations.
This would be a great opportunity for the UW to incorporate it's care and upkeep into their many horticultural classes, etc.
In the meantime...we will write to help preserve this beautiful, living museum.
People will save what they love!! :)

[suzanne ferris]

After participating in Earth Day volunteer weeding at the Arboretum this past weekend, I can vouch for the fact that volunteers are great but they are no substitute for professional horticulturalists when it comes to getting anything done properly. People SAY they will show up on time, but come four hours late full of cheeriness, with their children in tow, parents want to give their teens some real exercise so stop doing what is the task at hand and jump into 'moving mulch' before the weeding is finished on a site, hori horis are lost in the mayhem of 300 people mulching and weeding, and taking random breaks. Trust me... volunteers are well meaning, and a necessary part of the educational component, but please only in small doses! They are w/o the 'stick-to-itiveness' necessary to do 220 acres of maintenance at the UWBG: the jewel in the crown of our Olmstead legacy.