Dear Friend,
As the year draws to a close we hope this holiday season brings you peace, joy, happiness and a prosperous new year. Here at the Botanic Garden of Northwest Michigan we are grateful for each of our 2011 milestones and we look forward to continued achievements in 2012. Thanks to our volunteers and contributors, we had an outstanding year. The beauty of our new home and its  potential as a world-class public garden is inspiring to all who see it. In 2011 we witnessed:

• The beginning of Phase II of the Master Plan
• Drilling of our much needed irrigation well
• Power washing and painting of the Visitors Center
• Installation of signage and large banners depicting the future of the walled garden and the Barns
• The Picnic Grove maintained, the towering maple trees pruned and serviced, and a collaboration with Saving Birds Through Habitat and Four Season Nursery in designing a native planting area on the west end of the Grove
• Our second Ace Hardware Tool Shower
• The addition of 4 new board members
• 10 presentations to regional groups, 3 workshop displays, 11 on-site tours and an extensive speaker series
• A well received open house with over 1,000 guests in attendance

Like many non-profit organizations, we depend fully on our own fundraising efforts, events, and donations from individuals, families and businesses who see the value of a public garden to our area's economy and quality of life.
 
We are very grateful for all past contributions. As we gear up to move into our next phase of building the Garden, your financial support is now more welcome than ever. Please help us continue our mission of education and community outreach, as well as simply providing a place for enjoyment and relaxation. Consider a gift to our 2011 "End of the Season" Campaign. Your gift, which is tax-deductible, can be made to honor your family or a friend and will be a fitting touch for this holiday season.  Click here to donate.
 
Thank you in advance for your support. Best wishes for a wonderful holiday season!

Karen Schmidt
Board Chair