Education support focus of Botanical Garden ‘greening’

Ladies in wide-brimmed hats and floral dresses clutch bottled Coca-Colas, laughing and chatting with each other underneath white peaked tents as men in bow ties strolled across crayola-green grass and a blues band accompanied them on stage.

The quaint scene was the setting for the 18th Annual Greening of the Garden, which took place Tuesday evening to benefit the educational programs of the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks.

Many of the members of the BGO Board of Directors and staff attended, taking time to mingle with the public and other garden supporters.

“One of the things I love about working in nonprofits in Northwest Arkansas is getting to interact with so many generous donors and sponsors,” said Angie Albright, development and technology coordinator at the BGO. “We couldn’t do our work at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks without them.”

The event gathered roughly 400 people to the east Fayetteville location from a number of towns in Northwest Arkansas.

“What I love about this event is that I look around and I see people from Springdale, Siloam Springs, Bentonville, Centerton …” said Dick Trammel, Arkansas Highway Commissioner. “For 38 years I’ve lived in (here) … and I’ve never been let down by Northwest Arkansas.”

Proceeds from the function go toward the education programs at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, which provide classes, lectures and workshops for each age group. Guests of the event were able to hear about the benefits of these programs directly from children who have attended garden events with their school classes.

“I like (the educational program) because you get to learn how to save the environment and protect the environment,” said Jason Sanders. “My favorite part is the Japanese garden because you can learn about different cultures and different plants.”

Carson Sanders enjoys the program for its fun, carefree atmosphere.

“I like the games here because you get to have fun, but at the end I realize that I learned so much,” he said.

Trammel’s passion for Northwest Arkansas and the gardens was apparent in his encouragement for the audience.

“You’re the greatest audience to step up … and help the kids out,” he said.

The fundraising goal for the evening was $30,000, a challenge enticed by items in silent and live auctions. Jake and Woody, personalities who host a morning talk show on KIX 104, emceed the live auction at the Greening of the Garden, talking up the items in question and chatting easily with the audience.

“I feel like I’m in the middle of something fixing to go down,” Woody said during the first major bidding war, which began by inching up the monetary ladder by gaps of $50 but quickly escalated $200 at a time.

Large ticket items such as cocktails and hors d’Oeuvers for 30 people and landscaping supplies and services were sold for $1,500 and higher. A silent auction contained smaller and more eclectic items. They included products that hit close to home, to make improvements to houses and yards, as well as items that could follow you to an outdoor excursion or a quiet weekend getaway for two.

KIX 104 host Jake explained why the Greening of the Garden made such a difference to the region.

“The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks accommodates 80,000 visitors per year,” he said. “This place is a jewel of the Ozarks. “It’s very exciting to see what they’re doing in the coming years.”