Inspiring - Pittsburgh Botanic Garden

bloom
Let the Garden Begin!
Staff Welcome
We extend an overdue welcome to Brian Heap, who has been working on the site
since late spring. Brian is a horticulturalist who has previously worked at the Missouri
Botanical Garden. He has been working with volunteers to plant 167 trees, setting up
irrigation for watering the trees, installing a solar panel and pump to use rainwater for
the new plants, removing invasive species, cutting down dead and diseased trees, and
Honorariums
& Memorials
Honorariums and memorials made to the Botanic
Garden are a thoughtful way to recognize a special
occasion or remember a loved one. The following
gifts were received April through June of 2011.
working on the new tree nursery.
Karen Auclair
IN HONOR OF
We would also like to welcome Melissa Smallwood to the administrative team.
By Brian Anderson and Jennifer Long
Melissa is our new database coordinator. She has worked at the National Aviary
IN HONOR OF
Nancy Del Presto
and the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and is completing a Masters Degree at
By Blackridge Garden Club
Chatham University.
IN HONOR OF
Audrey McGreevy
By Virginia Mance
By Jean Jones
IN HONOR OF
Shirley Rapport
By Joan Boyd
IN MEMORY OF
Our Discount Partners
Wish List
These wonderful businesses support the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden by
offering our members 10% off selected purchases.
• Bluebird Houses
• Deer Fencing
• GPS
• Lawn Mowers
• Heavy Duty Weed-eaters
• Wheelbarrows
• Chain Saw
• Folding Saws
• Bow Saws
• Shovels
• Rakes
• Loppers
• Pruners
• Maddox
• Work Gloves
• 4 Wheel ATV
Bartsch Gardens
Best Feeds Garden Center
Brenckle’s Farm
& Greenhouse
Franklin Nursery, Inc
Gardener’s Eye
* Hozak Farms
Janoski Farms Inc.
Jim Jenkins Lawn
& Garden Center
Lake Forest Gardens, Inc.
Lee Heckman Custom
Framing & Gallery
LMS Nursery
Michael Brothers Nursery
Outlet Barn
Plumline Nursery
*Proper Gardens
by Karen Atkins
Reilly’s Summer Seat Farm
Sestili Nursery
Soergel Greenhouse
& Garden Center
Wren Song Creations
Urban Gardener
*We’d like to give a special welcome to our two newest partners,
Proper Gardens by Karen Atkins and Hozak Farms. Thanks for joining us!
Newsletter
Summer 2011
A Message From The President
Dear Botanic Garden Friend,
What a rewarding spring at the Botanic Garden! Mashuda
Corporation is continuing to “daylight” the old abandoned coal
mines to rid the land of the Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) and insure
clean water for future plantings. It is heartening to witness the
progress being made on this reclamation work. The Garden is also
getting recognition outside of our area for this work. I was invited
to give a presentation at the American Association of Museums
annual meeting in May about what we’re doing to improve the
environment. Also, the EPA has recognized Mashuda’s exemplary
work by inviting their reclamation field representatives from across
the country to tour our “model” project.
President’s Message
Spring Events
Thanks to Volunteers
Project Update: Botanic Garden Reclamation
Staff Welcome
William Miller
By Anne Metcalf
It is also gratifying to behold the many volunteers and the impact they make with our special events and
out on the site. Their energy and enthusiasm is remarkable.Thanks to the help of volunteers including
the Garden’s Board, we are happy to report that all three of our events this spring, The Royal Wedding
Reception, the Plant Sale, and the Open Garden Day exceeded our projections! Many positive comments
were received from people attending these events.
In Memoriam
The staff at the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden
mourns the unexpected passing of
Daniel F. Janoski in April. Daniel and his
Some of the highlights of this spring’s volunteer help on the site include the planting of 167 native trees
in the Appalachian Plateau Woodland Garden. These trees were purchased with grants from the Garden
Club of Allegheny County and the Laurel Foundation. Enough scrap and debris were removed from
the site to fill a large dumpster, a solar pump was installed for irrigation, a split rail fence and new sign
were erected, trails were extended and a meadow area was lined with a wattle fence. The gigantic job of
removing invasive species from the site is in progress, and approximately 10 acres have been cleared.
The Wildflower Trail now has a crushed stone path, an aesthetic and functional improvement. Water
from a mine seep in the Woodland Garden is also being monitored with the installation of weirs, the
first step to planning remediation. Please note below, where individuals and groups are recognized for
their contributions. h The Dogwood Trail is in the planning stage and will be opened together with the
Wildflower Trail next fall.
family’s business, Janoski Farms Inc. of
Clinton, have been good friends to the
Garden for many years.
Memorial Opportunity
We have received several requests for
memorial trees. One part of the Woodland
Gardens will feature The Dogwood Trail.
This area holds approximately 2,000 white
dogwoods in excellent condition. A grass
path will meander through the area whose
Brian and Kitty Vagley, Director of Development of the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden are
pictured here, accepting a check from Pennsylvania American Water representative,
Gary Lobaugh. Pennsylvania American Water awarded an $8,550 for the Appalachian
Inspiring
people to grow
beauty will be supplemented with spring
flowering bulbs, perennials and shrubs. If
you care to remember someone with a gift
of $500, we will place a plaque at the foot of
“your” tree for ten years.
850 Poplar Street
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15220
Appalachian Plateau Woodland Site
Please call for details.
Plateau Woodland site work as part of their Environmental Grant program to protect
Thank you to all who are working in different ways to advance the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden.
Supporting the Garden by working on the site, purchasing a membership, participating in our events and
spreading the word are all valued. We are grateful for all of your help in turning our 450 acre greyfield
into a colorful regional asset.
PITTSBURGH, PA
PERMIT # 1235
PAID
Greg Nace, President
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
and restore drinking water sources and surrounding watersheds.
The tree nursery is underway, due to a grant from The Sprout Fund. Our ecologist, Shane Miller, and
horticulturalist, Brian Heap, are working on the site. They had some help earlier this spring from Valerie
Phillips, an extern from the Bidwell Training Center. Recently, we signed up as a “Let’s Move – Museums
and Gardens”, part of First Lady Michelle Obama’s initiative to combat childhood obesity. As part of this
initiative, several guided tours of the Woodland Garden are planned for later this summer (including
night time tours to see animals by flashlight!). Please check our website for dates and further information.
Pittsburgh Botanic Garden
850 Poplar Street Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15220
412-444-4464
pittsburghbotanicgarden.org Issue #7
Spring Events:
Thanks to Our Volunteers
Eagle Scouts, Chris Profeta, Matthew Ferruzzi, Brandon Glowark and Justin Josey
The Royal Wedding Reception
have been busy on the Garden site. Chris and his crew cleared invasive species from
approximately five acres of the site, Matt’s project was to lay stone on the Wildflower
Thank you to the many individuals and companies who helped to make our April 29th
to plot the location of all native trees in the Woodlands of the World Garden. We
to the sponsors, to Janet Groom and her day-of-the-wedding-dressmakers, to Andrea
salute these young men and their teams of helpers. They have been of tremendous
Carros Schrenk who donated the wedding cake, to the partygoers who arrived in hats
benefit to the Garden while learning a great deal about the natural world.
and gloves and even kilts, it was an exceptional and fun-filled event. Bob and Rosie
Many kudos go to the almost 100 Deloitte volunteers who poured an immense
Whyche won the Champagne and Diamond raffle, courtesy of Henne Jewelers. We owe
amount of energy and focus and talent into improving the site on Deloitte’s
a debt of gratitude to Honorary Chairs, The Lord and Lady Palumbo, and co-chairs,
Stay tuned for information about our 2012 party.
Botanic Garden
Reclamation
Trail, Brandon is monitoring acid mine drainage in a stream and Justin is using GPS
event, The Royal Wedding Reception, such a success. From the Look-a Like contestants
Bev and Steve Elliott, Sylvia Dallas and John Oliver and Bridget and Brandon Snyder.
project update:
The Lord and Lady Palumbo, honorary chairs
of The Royal Weddng Reception
IMPACT Day, June 10th. We thank the entire team that worked so vigorously at
building the Appalachian Plateau Garden and the smaller team that helped on the
Due to the generosity of the Snee-Reinhardt Charitable Foundation,
we have been working on several videos, documenting the early stages
of the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden. WQED is in the final edits of three
vignettes, which will be featured on our website. They deal with Water,
Wildlife and Woodlands. The first, Water, is concerned with the clean
up of the acid mine drainage. The second, Wildlife investigates the
efforts to preserve the Appalachian Plateau Woodlands and meadow
habitats and explores the relationships of a healthy ecosystem. The
third vignette speaks to the plantings in Woodland Garden. Please
look for these informative vignettes on our website soon.
Fill out the form below, then mail to:
850 Poplar Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15220
To find out more information on member benefits please visit
pittsburghbotanicgarden.org/support/members/
Jason Kilgore, Assistant Professor of Biology,
to clear invasive species from the Appalachian
Much gratitude is extended to Linda Brown, Nancy Smith and Mickey Stobbe, the co-chairs
luncheon, snared volunteers, conducted the bus tour and oversaw the entire event. We thank
We will soon be welcoming volunteers from AMEC
them for their tireless efforts. We also thank Naomi Wheeler and Mykie Reidy who also served as
Environmental & Infrastructure PLC. They will
bus tour guides. Kudos also go out to the garden owners who graciously welcomed all guests and
start to clean up the Kentucky Hollow area.
shared their gardens and expertise. Over 600 individuals toured the 14 gardens on Sunday, June
Finally, an overdue thank you to Bill Gossett. Bill
26th, delighting in the creativity and knowledge on display.
leaves his home in Wheeling, West Virginia, at least
one day a week to volunteer at the administrative
If you know of an exceptional garden (and its owners who are not averse to being on tour)
office of the Garden. Bill worked hard on the Town
& Country Garden Tour, he handles the Friday lunch tours of the Garden site and
he pitches in anywhere he is needed. Bill, and his wife Bonnie, helped at the plant
sale too. Bill was a team leader for Deloitte’s IMPACT Day and is shown here at the
end of that day.
The Spring Plant Sale
Above: Frank Gricus and Linda Romito beside the wattle fence built on Deloitte's IMPACT day
The Plant Sale Committee pauses at the end of the sale. Back: Brian Heap, Frank Pizzi, Tristan Stayduhar, Frank Gricus and Linda Romito
Front: Leslie Kaplan, Sandy Feather, Martha Swiss, Sue Washburn and Lauren Mallory
The most unusual and hard-to-find perennials graced the Spring Plant
Martha Swiss has chaired the event for five years, aided by long time
Sale on May 21st. Leslie Kaplan started this event 21 years ago. At
committee members, Betty Anderson, Sandy Feather, Judy Fedak, Peg
one point, she even hosted it in her driveway! Leslie remains on the
Fiedler, Phyllis Gricus, Joe and Shirley Helmick, Megan Higgins, Connie
committee that produces this event. Today, the event takes place at the
James, Leslie Kaplan, Lauren Mallory, Frank Pizzi, Tristan Stayduhar and
Greentree Borough Building parking lot and features perennials, trees and
Susan Washburn.
EPA representatives admire the reclamation project which sets
the new standard for re-mining for the Agency.
Plateau Garden.
of the Town & Country Tour. They chose the gardens, plotted the directions, arranged the
would you please recommend them to us for a future tour? Please call Kitty at 412-444-4464.
Membership
Jefferson College who accompanied Professor
The Town & Country Open Garden Day Tour
potted annual combinations.
Join the Pittsburgh Botanic garden
administrative end.
We thank the volunteers from Washington &
The graceful and historic gardens of Newington were
opened for the Town & Country Tour guests
Video News
Deloitte's IMPACT day volunteers by the new split rail fence and sign frame
The Garden depends on volunteers. Volunteer work days are on Saturdays from
9 A.M. to Noon. Upcoming days are August 13, September 10, October 8 and
October 15. If you would like to help, please call Linda Shaytar at 412-444-4464.
The reclamation project continues to move forward.
The wet spring made for muddy difficult conditions
and occasional work stoppages. June’s dry weather was
welcomed by all involved in the project. Our contractor,
Mashuda Corporation, advanced considerably into the
old underground mine workings, recovering coal in the
process. Coal yield has varied widely. In the southern
end of the operation, more than 80% of the coal had
been previously removed by underground miners.
In the current work area, only 50% of the coal had
been removed. All the coal being recovered is from the
Pittsburgh Coal Seam, but two qualities of coal are being
recovered. The main seam is a premium coal product,
while the lesser quality roof coal and “chicken” coal are
combined and sold separately.
We continue to find remnants from the underground
mining that occurred in the early 1900s. Rails, timbers
and even part of a haulage cart have been encountered.
Substantial findings, like heavy iron rail wheels, are
being saved and will be incorporated into the Garden.
The current activities are in the portion of the abandoned
mine that produces acid mine drainage. The contractor
is managing and treating the acidic water that is
encountered. As the mine is reclaimed, the production
of polluted mine water should lessen substantially.
Please become a member of the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden today.
Your membership is a tangible sign of increasing support and important
to us as we approach grantors. We thank our Sustaining and Contributing
Members for their significant support.
Sustaining Members
Contributing Members
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Burns
Gailliot Family Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Henninger
Mr. and Mrs. Walter Stoecklein
Ms. Judy Wojanis
Mr. Eric Cooper
Ms. Jackie Dixon
Mr. and Mrs. James Edson
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Frobouck
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hillman
LMS Greenhouse & Nursery
Mr. Mark Meaders
Mr. and Mrs. John Olmsted
Ms. Thelma Redick
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Schuler
Mr. and Mrs. William Simpson
TLC Landscaping, Inc.
Mr. and Mrs. John Wilson
Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Worms
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