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Comprehensive Plan Input Needed--Make Your Voice Heard!

From now until September 9, members of the public can visit one of five listening stations to provide input on the Comprehensive Plan.

Listening stations have been set up at the following locations:

     1. James City/Williamsburg Community Center
     2. Emergency Operations Center in Toano
     3. James City County government complex buildings A & F
     4. James City County Public library

You can also make comment and learn more about the comprehensive plan by going to the: www.jccplans.org or call the Comprehensive Plan hotline at 259-4990.

It more important than ever to make your voice heard!

3 Sisters Garden

The Williamsburg Botanical Garden organization sponsored a children's educational program, the 3 Sisters' Garden, used by the Native American Indians as an agricultural method for farming. This method interplants corn, beans and squash(or pumpkin) together. Native Americans referred to this technique as the "sustainers of life" and relied on these crops for their nutrional value. Clare Britcher is pictured with the children as they planted the seeds. They learned about air pollination (corn) and pollinators (butterflies, bees, etc.) Why color and fragrance attract pollinators, why plants need air, light and water to survive; and how planting "companion" plants, recycling organic materials, and growing without chemicals can help the environment. Each attendant received directions and seed packets to plant in their gardens. The children were encouraged to save and dry the seeds for replanting next year and share their gardening experience.

Appointment of Executive Director Robin Bledsoe

July 16, 2008

The Williamsburg Botanical Garden Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Robin Bledsoe as the new Executive Director. Bledsoe has lived in the Williamsburg area for more than ten years. She is the past Executive Director of Avalon, A Center for Women and Children, and Colonial CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocates.

Bledsoe is a graduate of the University of Washington-Seattle and the Indiana University School of Philanthropy. She is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. She brings years of experience in nonprofit management, capacity building and fund raising to the position. Karen Jamison, Chair of the Botanical Garden, stated “we are pleased that Robin has joined us at this critical time in the history of our organization. She brings talent, professional skills, and the experience that is necessary to help us move forward.”

The recent James City County “Shaping Our Shores” land use study has demonstrated strong community support to locate a botanical garden on a permanent site at the Jamestown Beach Campsite property. Bledsoe will help lead the organization’s efforts to promote and create a botanical garden on the property. Bledsoe indicated she is looking forward to working with the board and the community to achieve the organization’s vision “to create and sustain a garden of wonder, discovery, beauty and inspiration”. Bledsoe further stated that if successful “the garden will offer a venue where families, educators, and tourists alike, can enjoy the unique opportunity to learn from and experience the unconditional gifts of nature”. Bledsoe assumed her duties in this new position officially on July 15th.

Jamestown Beach Campsite--Creating a garden gem

By Karen Jamison, Chairman of the Board

Williamsburg Botanical Garden

 

In July 2005, James City County presented Williamsburg Botanical Garden with a wonderful opportunity. A memorandum of understanding was negotiated between the two interested parties outlining a plan for creating a garden in Freedom Park. County officials offered the property to the botanical garden with the understanding that we would clean up, create, and care for a Demonstration Garden on a two-acre site for three years.

The goal of the memorandum was to demonstrate the effectiveness of the organization to satisfy a principal first step toward the establishment of a permanent botanical garden and arboretum in the community. Today, this remarkable piece of property has been transformed from what once was a diamond in the rough to a beautiful garden gem called the Ellipse.

This community garden has been and will continue to be an exciting project. Support was offered by hundreds of community volunteers. The business community, individuals and organizations contributed generously of their time, talents and resources to help plan, prepare and plant the garden. It has been rewarding to watch the garden grow and mature these past three years. The botanical garden offers monthly educational walks through the garden and quarterly evening programs dedicated to increasing knowledge, awareness and appreciation of nature. We have worked hard to be good stewards of the land, and we are grateful to James City for this gift of nature.

The long-term vision is to acquire a piece of property to create a larger botanical garden. We are hopeful there may be another opportunity on the horizon. The chance to develop a garden on a pristine piece of property overlooking the James River that would preserve, protect, maintain and enhance the Jamestown area and the James City community for the benefit of its citizens and the visiting public for years to come is an exciting endeavor to consider. A larger botanical garden would not only enhance the quality of life for our generation, it would also ensure a venue of distinction that we will pass on to future generations.

The “Shaping Our Shores” study being conducted by James City exhibits a desirable piece of property for future development on the Jamestown Beach Campsite map. The botanical garden envisions a living plant museum located in near proximity to a living history museum. It would be an ideal location to create a spectacular garden in James City.

Envision yourself strolling through lush gardens on a beautiful piece of property with a vista overlooking the James River. It would be an outstanding venue for weddings, receptions and educational events. The potential is tremendous to transform another piece of property into a glorious garden. The will never be another opportunity like this again.

If you support the idea of a botanical garden on this site please contact your elected officials in James City County. The botanical garden vision is “to create a garden of wonder, discovery, beauty and inspiration”. We can think of no better place to create a magnificent garden gem than on the property at Jamestown.

To contact the James City County Board of Supervisors go online: jccboard@james-city.va.us.

Bruce Goodson, Chair

James Kennedy, Vice Chair

Mary Jones

James Icenhour

John McGlennon

The Williamsburg Botanical Garden, comprised of dedicated citizens from the City of Williamsburg, James City County, and York County, have been working since 2000 to establish a botanical garden in Williamsburg, Virginia.  The Williamsburg Botanical Garden is a 501-(c)(3) non-profit corporation.  As we continue our planning efforts to select and develop a permanent location for the Garden, we welcome new members and new ideas.

Karen Jamison is chairman of the Board of Directors, which includes world renowned horticulturalist Andre Viette, and Dr. H. Marc Cathey, former Director of the National Arboretum. For further information about WBG plans and programs, contact 229-1995 or E-mail us.