- From the President - 2023 in Review
- Education
- Arboretum Support
- Endowment Fund
- Financials and Governance
- Mission, Vision, and Values
- Board of Directors
- Donors
- Partners
- Volunteers
- Wrapping Up
From the President - 2023 in Review
2023 was a big year for our society. We turned 40! The board took a serious look at our mission, values, and vision statements and a new growth strategy. This was completed with the help of an outside firm, Convergent Non-Profit Solutions.
Through their assistance we conducted a feasibility study to learn our current position within the community and we also engaged them to lead our annual strategic planning session. We learned much, created a great blueprint to help us move forward and are looking forward to an outstanding 2024.
Education
Little Sprouts
MAS provided a full-time education coordinator to the arboretum this year. Hannah Hill was able to provide educational outlets throughout the year with our Little Sprouts program engaging children ages 2-5 in activities to heighten their awareness of nature and the world around them.
Nature Home School Groups
Nature Home School Groups were also developed for grades K-5. Home schooler groups came to the arboretum to explore the theme “Around the World in Ecosystems.”
Bird Walks
In partnership with the Lahontan Audubon Society monthly bird walks were offered enabling members and the community to tour the arboretum and learn about the species of birds that migrate through during the seasons.
Tree Walks
Spring and Fall tree walks were led by arborist Rod Haulenbeek. Members and the community were led around the arboretum to learn about the life cycle of trees, how they can talk to you, what happens when they wake up in spring and then go to bed in the fall.
Test Gardens
Two test gardens were developed. These gardens are in anticipation of our proposed newest garden, The Cactus and Succulent Garden. These test gardens will help us to determine the best soil mixture to use and what cacti will hardy over the winter here in Reno. These studies are critical to the installation and success of the garden.
Arboretum Support
In 2023 the society provided $164,681 in funding to the arboretum.
Our society continues to support the arboretum through the funding of staff. While the industry standard is 1 FTE per cultivated acre the arboretum runs much short of this. We provide 3 full-time employees of the 6 who work year-round. The criticality of this resource to the arboretum is paramount.
Due to the big winter the arboretum suffered many downed trees. Our society provided funding for 27 replacement trees.
To help eliminate many hours of manual labor we purchased a snowplow attachment for one of our mule carts. What took many hours of manual snow removal has now been eliminated with the use of the plow.
Endowment Fund
In 2016 the society received an anonymous donation of $5,000,000.00 to start an endowment to enable the long-term sustainability of the Wilbur D. May Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. This endowment is managed by Vicken Ekmekjian, CFA and Managing Director with CIBC Wealth Advisors in San Francisco.
The long-term goal is to raise the fund to 20 million dollars. With this goal our society would be able to assure the long-term sustainability of the arboretum. It would allow us to cover the costs of maintaining the operations and growth of the arboretum that is so loved by much of the community without having to worry about economic turns and the current inability of the county to fully embrace the necessary care needed to present a world class presence that we hope will become a destination attraction of Reno.
The following graphs depict the 2023 performance of the fund:
![](https://mayarboretumsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/2023-endowment.jpg)
- Profit and Loss
- Balance Sheet
2023 Profit and Loss
Total | |
Income | |
Membership | 44,226.00 |
Donations | 29,917.33 |
Dividends and Interest | 216,814.45 |
Events | $70,031.79 |
Gross Profit | 360,989.57 |
Expenses | |
| |
Events | 61,727.82 |
Washoe County Arboretum Support | 162,676.26 |
MAS Operating | 189,765.89 |
| |
Total Expenses | 414,169.97 |
| |
Net Operating Income | -53,180.40 |
| |
Total Other Income | 162.91 |
| |
Net Income | -$53,017.49 |
Balance Sheet
As of December 31, 2023
Total | |
ASSETS | |
Current Assets |
|
Bank Accounts | $127,464.43 |
Other Current Assets | 6,176,455.79 |
Total Current Assets | 6,303,920.22 |
Fixed Assets | 55,077.80 |
Other Assets | $ - |
TOTAL ASSETS | $6,358,998.02 |
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY |
|
Liabilities |
|
Current Liabilities |
|
Accounts Payable | 23,721.74 |
Other Current Liabilities | 155.00 |
Total Current Liabilities | $23,876.74 |
Total Liabilities | $23,876.74 |
Equity | $6,388,138.77 |
Net Income | -$53,017.49 |
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | $6,358,998.02 |
Mission, Vision, and Values
The newly developed statements will guide our organization going forward.
Our Vision
Ensure the Wilbur D. May Arboretum and Botanical Gardens has the resources to become a world-class destination for future generations.
Our Mission
To advocate for and invest in the advancement of the Wilbur D. May Arboretum and Botanical Gardens.
Our Values
Stewardship
Responsibly utilizing our resources to maintain and grow the Wilbur D. May Arboretum and Botanical Gardens into a world-class botanical destination.
Education
Introducing our community to and fostering an appreciation for the wide variety of living horticultural collections within the Wilbur D. May Arboretum and Botanical Gardens.
Preservation
Ensuring future generations of our community have the opportunity to explore the natural resources from around the world that reside in the Wilbur D. May Arboretum and Botanical Gardens.
2023 Board of Directors
Donors
We have received several donations to our society this year, and greatly appreciate all those who have donated. Out of respect for privacy, we have not listed names for 2023.
You know who you are, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Partners
In 2023 we sought out partners to help with offsetting costs of events the society held. We would be remiss to not mention their generosity and support for the arboretum.
Del Aguilar – All Seasons Lawn and Landscape
John Simpson- Press Start Arcade
Bruce and Christie Gescheider- Moana Nursery
Dan Oakley – Oakley Automotive “Wayne’s Automotive Center”
Joseph Ysais – Best Plumbing and Heating LLC
Rick Reviglio – Western Nevada Supply
In Kind Donation
Lauren Whitenack – Lahontan Audubon Society
Rod Haulenbeek
Rom Marcucci – Sierra Lighting
Wyatt Smith – Sound Bath by Wyatt
Alexander Moreno – The Helping Moon
Volunteers
Throughout the year we have many volunteers that help our society with its various events and committees. We thank you.
Suzanne Arney
Debbie Bentley
Heather Noelle
Robert Martin
Carol Burns
Sandy Macey
Denise Myer
Shannon Speak
Carla Mischel
Lane Johnson
Brad Hayes
Mercedes Parodi
Chris Veach
Susan Mullen
Laura Warren
Sharon Fabbri
Victoria Nilson
Edward Campau
Doris Dimmitt
Rod Dimmitt
Zoe Ginchereau
Terri O’Bryan
Karen Steines
Kass Kirkham
Linda Enteles
Luke Sorenson
Martha McRae
Connie Douglas
Larry Douglas
Caroline Harkness
Pamela McAdoo
Pat Behal-Leedy
Patricia Patton
Rod Haulenbeek
Sadie Dukatz
Terri Durgan
Tina Nappe
Tonya Meyers
Sharon Lane
Sandy Zoerner
Liz Morrow
Hannah Hill
Jannet Vreelan
Alex Lacko
Lauren Bentley
Larryn Bell
Molly Campau
Joyce Kelner-Mehew
Patricia Black
Joe Reinhard
Joyce Lupan
Rita Laden
Danny Carrasco
Deborah Pontius
Gail Vice
Janet Stewart
Genny Wilson
Trudy Hirakoa
Chris Pankey
Sara Oliver Erwine
Aimee Giller
Amber Hilberg
Amy Bess
Kurt Buehring
Bradon Franklin
Tricia Brown
Wrapping Up
There is so much to be grateful for with our society. I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the board members and committee chairs of 2023 for the exceptional work and perseverance you brought forward. As we move into 2024, we have many plans and goals to meet that will bring about even more of an opportunity for us to shine a light on the arboretum and its benefit to the communities we serve.
—
Frances Munoz
President