Leach Garden Friends

ANNUAL REPORT
2020
This Annual Report chronicles an extraordinary year. While we have all endured the
challenges of a global pandemic, an unprecedented wildfire season, and political
tensions, here at Leach Garden we have also watched a vision become reality. More
than one vision, actually.

After years of planning, the first phase of our Upper Garden project is nearing
completion. This coming spring we will invite the community to experience what so
many helped us build with donations large and small.

When Education Manager, JoAnn Vrilakis, joined our team in 2017, she envisioned
creating an ongoing habitat enhancement project on the Garden’s five acre parcel
east of the Manor House along Johnson Creek. She wanted to provide high-level,
educational and citizen science opportunities to all ages, with an emphasis on
underserved youth and adults. Exciting partnerships emerged and the program was
underway by the summer of 2019. The pandemic interrupted the anticipated project
flow, but created new opportunities to focus on training older student mentors who
will play a critical role when the younger students are able to return.

The Annual Report tells these stories and more. It was a year like no other.

Ten years ago, when we had a Master Plan but no roadmap for how to make it
happen, we were fortunate enough to hire David Porter as our new Executive
Director. His passion for the Garden and his delight with the stories behind it were
contagious. Under his leadership, we built capacity as an organization, and were able
to develop our path forward. We've achieved many milestones under David's watch,
but completion of our first phase development project is certainly the capstone. We
will always be grateful for David’s commitment, guidance, and friendship.
In early 2021, David will begin his well-earned retirement. We wish him the very
best and fully expect to welcome him back as one of our most cherished volunteers.

Irene Bowers
Board President
Bob Hyland

Au Revoir
On September 10, 2010 I was offered the Executive Director position at Leach
Garden. I had walked around the Garden the previous spring and I could feel 'magic'
even in that brief encounter. The idea that I could go to work every day in such
a place and get paid for it felt too good to be true. Slightly more than ten years
later, I still feel that way about this position.

However, I am also conscious that the decades pass swiftly, and they are limited in
number. Soon I will pass the keys to a new leader—with new energy and a fresh
vision. In the spring we will open the new facilities in the Upper Garden and
I know that my successor will have similar opportunities to experience the magic of
this place.

This has been the best work I could imagine doing. When I started, I was charged
with writing a business plan for the Garden, preparing the organization to
implement elements of the 2010 Master Plan, and building stronger support for the
vital volunteer corps. Those passionate individuals, starting in the 80s, built on the
Leach's vision and sustained the Garden. Without that foundation, none of the rest
of the work would have been possible. Volunteers continue to play important roles
in the Garden. Our deeply capable staff work alongside them every day, and
together they accomplish great things. I am very grateful to all of them. The Garden
has also been well-served by the people of Portland Parks & Recreation who
brought investment and technical skills to give the Garden a framework to grow.

As we approach the end of this challenging year, I am excited at all that we have
accomplished. I have been granted wonderment and landmark experiences. I have
seen plans go from seed to blossom. I am retiring from being an employee and plan
to spend more time as a grandpa and a volunteer myself. I have more than enough
to keep me busy, but I hope to spend some of that time in the Garden. I thank all of
you with whom I have had the privilege to share these ten years. I am not gone, but
I will wear a different hat. Perhaps like John I'll don a beret.

David Porter
Executive Director
 Upper Garden
Nears Completion
Opening anticipated
Spring 2021

TOP ROW
Left: Pollinator Garden with Fireside
Terrace Arbor in background
Center: Woodland Garden pathway
Right: Crape Myrtles (Lagerstroemia
'Natchez') for entry plaza
MIDDLE ROW
Left: Section of Grand Staircase
Right: Fireplace on south side of
Fireside Terrace
BOTTOM ROW
Left: Steps down from the public
pathway outside the Garden
Center: Entry plaza and restroom
 Camellia bed in the autumnt

Horticulture
It likely comes as no surprise that challenges were faced this year. In
48,000
addition to the complications created by Covid-19, significant Total number of plants
weather events also stressed plants to the extreme. A very hot, dry
and windy late summer was followed by extreme pollution from added in the Upper
wildfire smoke that took a toll on the Garden's flora. We are hopeful Garden project
that most of the plants will rebound in the next year.

Working around a construction project wasn't always easy, but

regular Garden maintenance carried on and the hort team found
time for some special projects as well. In the spring, container
30,000
displays around the Manor House got a significant upgrade. New of the new plants
and more interesting specimens replaced the old, overgrown plants
are bulbs
and new containers were added to the main entrance area.

When the camellias were in full bloom this spring, they were

276
evaluated for quality and vigor. Underperforming specimens were
removed and the remaining plants were pruned to reduce size and
create better structure. New camellia specimens will be obtained to
create a more robust collection. # of unique species

This summer, all plants in the Rock Garden were taken out to enable
removal of excess soil and detritus that had built up over the years
creating unfavorable conditions for rock garden plants. A new
design will be installed, introducing many new plant species. 356
This fall and winter, our focus will be on clean-up and pruning in Total number of new
areas surrounding the construction project. Despite its challenges, plants added to the
2020 saw great changes and additions to the landscape at Leach
Botanical Garden. We’re looking forward to sharing the new garden
Historic Collection
spaces with everyone in 2021.
 The Leach Botanical Garden Back 5 Acres Community Habitat
Enhancement Project goes beyond the goal of restoration of land. It
is first and foremost an educational program with sociocultural
goals designed to engage, educate, and connect people of different
cultural backgrounds—to each other and to the land. In addition to
removing invasive species, planting native species, and maintaining
the site, participants learn about macroinvertebrates, pollinators,
traditional ecological knowledge, community science, ornithology,
plant identification and propagation, geology, nature journaling and
health in nature.

Education
The year 2020 may have thrown up roadblocks that led to
cancellations of classes, camps, workshops, and lectures, but
our educational program found creative and significant
ways to grow and thrive. Much of the action focused on the
Garden's "Back 5 Acres."

The Back 5 Acres Community Habitat Enhancement Project

welcomed the African Youth Community Organization to
our existing collaborative team with The Blueprint
Foundation, Wisdom of the Elders, Johnson Creek
Watershed Council, and David Douglas High School.

When the pandemic ruled out large educational events, we

put our heads together and created 24 physically-distanced
workshops designed to provide knowledge and leadership
skills to older Blueprint Foundation and AYCO youth and
mentors. We started with just two students at a time, and
progressed to four as we learned more about how to safely
manage Covid-19.

The Project shares the same welcoming magic as the Garden

itself, and one of the best and most rewarding aspects is
collaboration. People have come together, forming bonds to
the land, creating personal connections and strengthening
relationships among participating organizations. Leach
Garden volunteers have contributed mightily to the project
as well, putting in more than 800 hours in 2020, weeding,
planting, doing surveys, running transect lines and more. The
energy and interest created by all of us learning, working
and sharing make the Garden an increasingly vital part of Since February, the Back 5 Acres collaboration has conducted plant
our wider community, with much to offer and much to gain. transects, conducted surveys, learned plant identification and anatomy,
added to community science with iNaturalist, learned to propagate native
plants from cuttings, learned about birds and dissected owl pellets, learned
As a result of this commitment and hard work, Leach Garden to make cordage from stinging nettles, and created a video to help train
others in how to do plant transects. We also added stress reduction
was honored with a Johnson Creek Watershed Council workshops, teaching youth to use mindfulness to help cope with our
Community Partner Riffle Award this year. difficult times. Two of our young mentors are now training in health in
nature techniques. They have led two workshops for other youth.
Volunteering
In the time of Covid-19
When the pandemic hit, most of our normal operations came to a screeching halt.
Education programs, special events, and our popular Honeybee Hikes were
curtailed or eliminated altogether. The Manor House and Gift Shop closed to the
public. Scores of volunteers were temporarily out of work.

But our amazingly dedicated and intrepid garden volunteers were able to
continue to tend to the Garden and the Back 5 Community Habitat Enhancement
Project throughout the year—with masks and social distancing protocols in place.
We currently have teams working on both Tuesday and Friday mornings and they
have made a huge difference. When limited retail opening was approved,
volunteers also kept the Garden Gift Shop open every Sunday, assisting with
various special promotions such as the very successful English Tea Gift Box sale
and an equally popular Wreath Sale. Others assisted staff as weekend garden
rangers and helped with administrative tasks.

THANK YOU
to all of our volunteers, including those who are waiting
in the wings for a return to normal operations! The total
number of volunteer hours contributed this calendar
year will top 2000 before the year is over, a pretty
phenomenal number for this very unusual year.

Gift Shop
We have steadily added to our online gift shop offerings and continue to drive
traffic to the website through various promotions, including Care Packages,
specialty Gift Baskets, and the current Wreath Sales.

Total Gross Sales this year are anticipated to top $11,000.

Rentals
With large groups out of the question during the pandemic, most of our
wedding and business rentals were cancelled or rescheduled for next year. But
elopements proved to be an acceptable, and even desirable, alternative for
several couples. The tiny ceremonies were lovely and able to take advantage of
the Garden's more intimate spaces. While it was slow in the rental business, we
saw a dramatic increase in weekend visitorship. The rental team stepped up to
help implement new Covid-related signage and safety procedures, provide
nadiajoycephotography.com

visitor information, and fill the role of security and safety enforcement
throughout the Garden.
 Bridging the Stream
Since the late 80s, when the pedestrian bridge was first installed
across Johnson Creek, it has required lifting during the winter
and early spring to get it out of the floodway. The process of
raising and lowering it can only be done manually and is
extremely dangerous. The liability is too great for Leach staff and
volunteers to continue to do so and even the construction
contractors we've talked to aren't willing to give it a try. Two
engineers from KPFF have helped us explore alternatives for
leaving the bridge in place year around. The preferred solution is
to elevate the bridge only enough to clear high water levels,
which are lower now that the 122nd Avenue bridge downstream
is a clearspan. KPFF has donated substantial hours evaluating

The pedestrian bridge connects the main Garden with the

concepts and doing the preliminary design. In 2021 we hope to
charming stone cabin and outdoor kitchen on the south side raise the $ 20,000 needed for them to do the required survey
of Johnson Creek. This photo shows it in the raised position
and technical design work.
above the swollen stream.

Welcome New Board Members

Lina Ma Bob Hyland Francheska Snyder

Lina is a Geologist-in-Training (GIT), a Bob is a Portland-based horticultural Originally from Philadelphia, Francheska
Geographic Information Systems Professional consultant and garden designer. He owns Snyder is the current owner/operator of Niwa
(GISP), and self-employed business owner Hyland Garden Design and Contained Method LLC, a landscape contracting business
who is learning how to help people build and Exuberance, a garden pottery shop and specializing in Japanese gardens in the
protect wealth through financial education. design studio. During his 40-year career, Portland area. She has previously worked in
Lina is volunteering to assist with developing Bob has managed horticulture, operations, public non-profit gardens at Portland
an educational geology program for Leach and education programs at leading public Japanese Garden, Shofuso Japanese House
Botanical Garden. Prior to becoming self- gardens on both coasts – Longwood and Garden, and Wyck Historic House and
employed, Lina served as a Geologist and Gardens, San Francisco Botanical Garden Garden. She is a member of various garden
Natural Resource Specialist for the State of & Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Before and horticulture societies, and a recognized
Oregon for 15 years. She has been a member moving to Portland in 2011, he built, co- Chanticleer Scholar. Francheska earned a
of Oregon’s Historical Marker Committee, a owned, and operated a connoisseur plant Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry
Framework Lead of Oregon’s Geospatial nursery in New York’s Hudson Valley. from Rochester Institute of Technology in
Enterprise Office, and on the Board of Rooted firmly in the Pacific Northwest for 2009. She holds a certificate in Garden Design
Directors of the Association for Women 8 years, Bob has served on the boards of from Cornell Cooperative Extension, a
Geoscientists. She earned a Bachelor of several public gardens and horticultural certificate in Ornamental Horticulture from
Science degree in Geological Sciences from organizations. Longwood Gardens, and a 4th Term Master
the University of Oregon. With time away Level certificate from the Ohara School of
from the digital world, Lina loves to travel and Ikebana. She also uses her time and talent to
enjoy the outdoors. volunteer with Friends of Trees and the
Oregon Garden.
 FY 2019-2020 FINANCIALS STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
June 30, 2020

ASSETS
The Covid-19 epidemic had a serious impact the second half of the fiscal year. Unrestricted Cash Accounts $368,193
Revenues were adversely affected due to our inability to hold events, weddings, Restricted Cash Accounts 512,674
Endowment 99,313
and other revenue generating activities. Despite that, the Garden was able to
Accounts Receivable 30,299
weather the storm thanks to the generosity of our supporters and diligence of Pledges Receivable 10,500
staff in reducing expenses wherever possible. We were also able to obtain a Long-Term Assets 162,913
Paycheck Protection Program loan from the Small Business Administration Gift Shop Inventory 9,767
━━━━━━
which helped us avoid layoffs. Restricted cash accounts are dedicated to the ════
Total Assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,193,659

Upper Garden development project currently underway. LIABILITIES

Accounts Payable $1,536
Fundraising Events
Payroll Liabilities 935
6% Deferred Revenue 26,990
SBA PPP Loan 71,330
Rental Income
━━━━━━
Contributions Total Liabilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100,791
11%
25%
NET ASSETS
Unrestricted Net Assets 482,789
Restricted Net Assets 610,079
━━━━━━
Total Net Assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,092,868
Revenue - Sales ━━━━━━
9%
TOTAL
Total Liabilities and Net Assets $1,193,659
════
REVENUE
STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES
Revenue - Other June 30, 2020
6%
REVENUE
Fundraising Events $20,295
Grant Revenues 141,230
Program Revenues 4,877
Contributions 81,626
Revenue - Sales 29,492
Grant Revenue
Revenue - Other 14, 527
43%
Rental Income 36, 418
━━━━━━
Total Revenue. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328,465

EXPENSES
Development Cost of Goods Sold 16,560
15% Personnel 374,393
Professional Fees 44,765
Administrative
Advertising 848
Copying & Printing 6,456
Dues & Subscr 1,556
Facilities (plants) 3,760
Administration Insurance 5,732
14% Investment Fees 1,355
TOTAL Supplies 14,816
EXPENSES Other Expenses 3,064
Postage 830
Program Telecommunication 4,039
Services
━━━━━━
Total Administrative Expenses 42,456
58% ━━━━━━
Total Expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 478,174
Rentals ━━━━━━
13% Change in Net Assets. . . . . . . . . . .$(149,709)
═════
Bob Hyland

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Irene Bowers, President
Mike McKeel, Vice President
Gay Greger, Secretary
Tom Bland, Treasurer
Mary Davis
Bob Hyland
Lina Ma
Linda Morrow
Sue O'Halloran
CiCi Polson
Dale Shetler
Francheska Snyder

COUNCIL OF ADVISORS
Mike Abbaté
Mike Lindberg
Patrick R. O' Brien
Josephine Pope
Dean Runyan
Zari Santner
Kim Silva

STAFF
David Porter, Ex. Director
Virginia Brandabur, Visitor Svcs. Mgr.
Kit Cummins, Rentals Coord.
Michael Cummins, Facilities Maint.
Adam Hart, Horticulture Mgr.
Scott Hoelscher, Head Gardener
Melissa Manuel, Admin. Asst.
Jo Shintani, Asst. Director
Courtney Vengarick,
Curator/Gardener
JoAnn Vrilakas, Education Mgr.
Annie Winn, Mgr. Volunteer Svcs.

A PLACE LIKE NO OTHER

6704 SE 122nd Avenue Portland, OR 97236

www.leachgarden.org

info@leachgarden.org 503-823-1671