Annual Report

January 2005

Dear Gardeners,

The Western Colorado Gardening Foundation (WCGF) is a Colorado nonprofit organization organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes – is a tax exempt, nonprofit public charity qualified under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue code. Donations to the Foundation are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.

The Western Colorado Gardening Foundation is two years old! Through grant sponsorship, fundraising events which benefit the WCGF Grant Program, and other activities, we’d like to remind you of what we accomplished in 2004.

In February we promoted the Foundation to the gardening community with a booth at Landscapes West Gardening Conference & Show.

Granted $500 to Delta Memorial Hospital Foundation toward the purchase of trees for the rooftop respite gardens at the new Delta Memorial Hospital. The gardens will provide a very unique and tranquil area for patients and visitors.

Granted $500 to Western Colorado Botanical Society for plant identification signs in the gardens.

Donated $100 for the purchase of seven shrubs to the foundation plantings at the Western Slope Vietnam Memorial Gardens in Fruita, CO.

Granted $250 to Orchard Mesa Middle School for purchase of Phase II tree planting, May 7, 2004. OMMS also received an $800 grant award from the Colorado Parks and Recreation Association. The Foundation was the sponsor organization.

On August 28, we held our Second Annual Water Garden Tour to benefit the WCGF Grant Program.

On September 11, WCGF had a booth at the Botanic Gardens Fall Festival.

On September 27, WCGF was recognized for our support of Orchard Mesa Middle School at the Mesa County Community Partnership Luncheon

WCGF was the sponsor organization for a $3,000 grant from the Colorado Tree Coalition for development of landscaping for Riverbend Park, Palisade, CO. The Palisade Peach Festival and the Colorado Mountain Winefest were held at Riverbend Park for the first time in 2004.

WCGF was the sponsor organization for a $500 grant for Wingate Neighborhood Park Project received from the Western Colorado Community Foundation Board of Trustees. The City of Grand Junction has approved an interactive nature area with native plants for students and community use.

WCGF was the sponsor organization for a $10,000 grant for CSU Shade Structure immediately next to the Cooperative Extension office building in Mesa County from the Colorado Garden Show, Inc., Denver, CO for educational programs.

The WCGF 2005 program and meeting schedule follows:

January 29, 10:00 am Program Meeting,

Mesa Mall Community Room

Installation of 2005 Board of Directors

February 11-13 Landscapes West Gardening Conference & Show

Convention Center, Grand Junction, CO

March No Program Meeting

April 16 Member Yard Sale

Benefit for WCGF Grant Program

May 7, 9-4 pm Life on Lewis & Clark Trail, Cross Orchards Living History Farm
Benefit for WCGF Grant Program

June No Program Meeting

July 30, 10:00 am Quarterly Program Meeting, Mesa Mall Community Room

August 27, 8-4 pm Third Annual Water Garden Tour

Benefit for WCGF Grant Program

September No Program Meeting

October 29, 10:00 am Quarterly Program Meeting, Mesa Mall Community Room

November No Program Meeting

December 3, 10:00 am WCGF Holiday Party

WCGF will participate in grant writing for development of MESA COUNTY ARBORETUM AT THE GARDENS, Grand Junction, CO. The CSU Mesa County Extension Office is expanding its offerings of public demonstration and research gardens with the addition of an arboretum at the Mesa County Fairgrounds. Check out the web site at www.WesternSlopeGardening.org for more information on the Mesa County Arboretum. The Western Colorado Gardening Foundation and the CSU Foundation are nonprofit organizations and will be repositories and stewards of the charitable contributions made to the Arboretum.

To find more detailed information on WCGF, check our web site at www.wcgf.org -- mission, getting involved, calendar of events, members page, grants, news and links, or call 970-523-1865.

Sylvia Sharpe

President

Western Colorado Gardening Foundation