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History of the UCR Botanic Gardens
The Waines Directorship, 1981-Present
When Professor J. Giles Waines took over as Director on July 1, 1981, he felt keenly, as did the previous Directors, that the UCR Botanic Gardens was not of a standard in keeping with the University of California's reputation for dedication to excellence. It was not well cared for, and hence somewhat of an embarrassment, especially when shown to visitors from other Universities or Botanic Gardens, both domestic and foreign. He recognized, of course, that this was due largely to lack of adequate support staff, which consisted of 2 1/2 permanent employees when he took over from Professor Erickson. However, the 1981-82 budget, due in part to the effectiveness of Professor Erickson's relentless efforts over a period of years, provided for two additional permanent staff positions. These were a Curator, filled by Dr. Richard M. Adams, and a Nurseryman, filled by Mr. Robin Salter. This doubling of the full-time permanent staff enabled Professor Waines to start off his tenure as Director with added resources to devote to the care of the Gardens. Further, the success of the Friends organization in attracting membership (about 250) and in providing funds (estimated at about $10,000) in the first year gave him cause for optimism concerning the future of the Gardens.
In assessing his new responsibilities as Director, he came to the conclusion that, given the augmented, but still limited, resources at his disposition, the time was ripe to give greater emphasis to doing a better job of maintaining the existing collections, and to give less emphasis to adding new collections or to expanding old ones. Having come from a European background and having considerable experience and training in horticulture, he felt that greater emphasis should be given to landscaping and horticultural considerations in establishing and maintaining the collections. In many cases, trees and shrubs had not been thinned or pruned since planting, and consequently, the overall effect was sometimes that of a crowded thicket of plants competing for space. In addition, he felt that there were too few open, grassy areas essential for providing a pleasing display of diverse plant collections. Thus, he spent much effort during his first few years thinning out collections and in removal of redundant plants to open up grassy areas, such as the base of Alder Canyon.
In addition, Professor Waines decided to continue, and emphasize further, the public service mission of the Gardens. He actively nurtured the partnership with the Friends. He continued and expanded the community outreach programs started by Professor Erickson. Educational activities featuring demonstrations and workshops were organized. He stimulated articles in the Friends newsletters on topics of special interest to dedicated plant enthusiasts. The conference room of the Gardens was made increasingly available to special interest groups, such as the Riverside Rose Society, the Inland Empire Bonsai Society, the California Rare Fruit Growers Association, the Rancho Rose Society, the Riverside Garden Club, the California Native Plant Society, the Inland Herb Society, and, of course, the Friends. Hosting such organizations and related activities fostered public interest and support of the Gardens. Much favorable publicity in the form of newspaper and magazine articles was generated by these activities. In this area, the zealous support of Mrs. Lorraine Small, garden columnist for the Riverside Press-Enterprise and a very active member of the Friends' Board of Directors, was, and continues to be, a key factor in the effective promotion of the Gardens' favorable image and high visibility.
At the beginning of his tenure as Director, Professor Waines had a full-time staff of four university-funded employees plus one half-time employee. These were: Dr. Richard Adams, Curator; Mr. Dennis Kucera, Manager; Mr. Norman Sheppeard, Senior Nursery Technician; Mr. Robin Salter, Nursery Technician; and Mr. William Gary, Nursery Technician (half-time). In addition, he had funds to support the equivalent of about 1/2 of a full-time worker as part-time student helpers. Curator Adams resigned in November, 1983 and was replaced by Mr. Steve Morgan in June, 1984. Mr. Norman Sheppeard retired July 1, 1985. He was replaced by Mr. Remie Gonzalez as Senior Nursery Technician in June 1986. Another full-time employee, supported by grant funds, Ms. April Gacsi, Laboratory Assistant, was added in the fall of 1986 and resigned in fall of 1990. During the six-month period April through September 1988, Elizabeth Lord, Professor of Botany, served as Acting Director of the Gardens while Professor Waines was on sabbatical leave. In the summer of 1988, Clifford Rogers, Groundskeeper, was added to the staff. About a year later, he was replaced by Mr. Abdurrahman "Abe" Köksal, who was recruited from among the student helpers. In the spring of 1989, Miss Nancy Flexman was appointed as Senior Nursery Technician and vacated the position in the fall of 1990. In 1991, 6 1/2 full time staff positions were available to the Botanic Gardens, but because of early retirement and the recession, this was reduced to 3 1/2 full time University funded staff positions in 1993. In addition, there was a further position, supported by grant funds to help build the handicapped walkway to the fish pond. The Friends funded a senior nursery technician position (20 % time) to have Dr. Daryl Koutnik help maintain the Cactus and Succulent Gardens. The Friends also funded half of the cost of four part time student workers who help with special projects in the summer months and keep the Gardens open on weekends. The other half was funded by regular University funds and donations to the Botanic Gardens. Thus, it is clear that the staff resources were considerably greater in the decade of the 1980's than in previous years. This facilitated a better standard of maintenance of plantings and physical facilities, and enlarged the scope of its public service mission. However, in 1993, the once again meager staff resources were still the major restraint to achieving the legitimate goals of the UCR Botanic Gardens of better maintenance and improvement as a teaching, research, and public service resource.
During the first 10 years of Professor Waines' tenure as Director, two major physical improvements were added to the Gardens: the walkway for the handicapped and the geodesic dome lathhouse. A walkway for the handicapped was first suggested to Mr. John Babbage by Mrs. Mildred Tucker, who subsequently willed a substantial sum to the Riverside Community Foundation for funding projects benefitting handicapped persons like herself. In 1982, Professor Erickson proceeded to draw up a proposed plan for a gently sloping walkway which would provide the handicapped with access to the Gardens. The proposed route ran up Alder Canyon, then up the Canyon's east wall coming out near the Gardens' headhouse-office on the mesa. Early in 1984, the campus architect estimated the cost of the proposed walkway at $43,000. In August 1984, the Riverside Community Fund offered a donation of half of the estimated cost toward the project, subject to a matching donation from the Friends. Six years after it was first proposed, the Handicapped Walkway was dedicated on November 1, 1987. The final total cost of $75,000 was shared by the Riverside Community Fund and the Friends. A member of the Friends, Mrs. Peggy Fouke Wortz, was an especially generous contributor to the walkway fund. A highlight of the impressive dedication ceremonies, presided over by Chancellor Rosemary Schraer, was the reading of a poem she had written for the occasion.
The Gunther Memorial Lathhouse had its beginning when Mr. Robert Gunther, owner of Monterey Domes, donated the framework for the structure. A fund to complete the lathhouse was started in 1985 in memory of the late Professor Francis Gunther, Professor of Entomology at UCR, and of world renown for his pioneer work on plant pesticide residues. He took a keen interest in the development of the Gardens, and served as vice president of the Friends in 1984-85. The foundation of this lathhouse, located just south of the greenhouse, was laid in 1986. The completed lathhouse was dedicated December 7, 1987. This handsome structure provides an attractive setting for collections of shade-loving plants. Several fine specimens of valuable cycads were donated by Mr. W. T. Drysdale, a dedicated volunteer supporter of the Gardens.
There were a large number of diverse and mostly minor physical improvements during the first decade of Professor Waines' tenure as Director. These, in the aggregate, have had a quite significant impact on the Gardens' functioning and general ambience. They have improved the access of the central campus and the public, the ease of communication within the Gardens, and encouraged the support from both private and institutional donors. The following paragraph will touch on only the more visible or significant of the projects comprising the whole.
Only a few physical improvements were funded by the University. The regular staff of the Gardens made many improvements in trails, planting renovations, labelling, and similar activities during Professor Waines' first decade. In addition, University funds provided for lighting the road leading to the Gardens and a fire hydrant serving the entrance area (1981). The irrigation system underwent a major renovation (1984) with special funds provided by Vice Chancellor Carl Bovell. Safety handrails were installed (1986) on some hazardous stretches of walks, and preparation of the site for the Gunther Memorial Lathhouse (1987) was also financed by the University.
The major portion of the following physical improvements were financed by donations from the Friends organization and by private individuals. Such contributions included money, plants, equipment, materials, and volunteer labor. A flagstone patio was added (1982) providing, in effect, an outdoor extension of the conference room. A photographic mission was arranged by Dr. Richard Adams and President Grant Carner of the Friends, with the cooperation of the Riverside Police Department helicopter unit. Some excellent low-level aerial photos were obtained documenting the development of the Gardens in 1982. The Rancho Rose Study Group contributed an attractive gazebo and related improvements (1983) for the rose garden. A bronze entrance plaque, a bench, and some trail marking signs (1983) were contributed by Mr. Frank L. Hagen. A substantial donation was made by Mrs. Norma Jean Lathrop and her husband, William, toward a belvedere (1984), and other improvements for the herb garden. The project was completed in 1987 with some additional funds supplied by the Friends. The aging Alder Canyon pond bridge was replaced (1989) with funds donated by Mrs. Wortz. Three other bridges were replaced in 1990, two across the wash through the lilac collection, and one in Alder Canyon. A fifth bridge was built in front of the conference room. These bridges were financed by money from the Friends and the Botanic Gardens. A computer system was purchased (1989) for printing, processing and storage of plant records, and for desktop publishing of the Newsletter and related educational materials issued by the Gardens. Two new drinking fountains were installed (1990) to better serve the growing visitor load. These last three items were financed by the Friends. The Riverside Bar Association provided a teak bench in memory of the late Mr. John Babbage. The outmoded high-volume sprinkler irrigation system of the Subtropical Fruit Collection was replaced during the 1989-90 period. With funds from the Friends and volunteer help, a low-volume system was installed with a demand (available as needed) water source replacing the rigidly scheduled source.
During the 1980's, several funds have been contributed by family and friends in memory of deceased loved ones. So far, such funds have been earmarked for specific collections or projects in the Gardens. Among the larger of such donations were the Gunther Memorial Lathhouse, the Virginia Miller Azalea Garden, the Boysie Day Baja California Collection, and the Julia Butts Barnes Memorial Endowment.
The growth of the Friends of the UCR Botanic Gardens organization, since its founding in 1980, has been rather surprising. In fact, the term often applied to tropical plant growth -- exuberant -- can be applied to it quite appropriately. By the end of 1981, the membership roster exceeded 250 names. Despite considerable turnover from year to year, membership increased steadily in the decade of the 1980's. In 1990, more than 250 new members were listed on the roster, bringing total membership above 600 for that year. It currently (1993) stands at about 700 members. Each year the Friends have provided substantial funds to the Gardens for physical improvements and renovations, new equipment, publications, student help, and related concerns. For example, the Friends provided $37,500 in matching funds (over a period of several years) for the Handicapped Pathway project, to name one of the larger contributions. Since its founding, the Friends have built up the Endowment Fund from the few thousand dollars started by Professor Erickson to a total of $153,000 in 1993. In addition, in the past decade the Friends have contributed between $10,000 and $20,000 annually in support of the Gardens.
The great impact of the Friends is not revealed by membership statistics or accounting figures alone. With remarkable enthusiasm, its members have embraced the UCR Botanic Gardens as their own. Its Board of Directors, the Director of the Botanic Gardens, and his staff have developed a close-knit and harmonious partnership which has stimulated the Gardens' physical development as a teaching and research resource as well as its extension and community service missions. Perhaps the expansion of these latter activities has been and continues to be among the most important contribution of the Friends. Jointly, Director Waines and his staff and the Board of the Friends have formulated initiatives, such as upgrading the Newsletter, featuring articles on membership activities, both botanical and social, as well as on the botany and culture of plants. No small part of the success of the Friends organization is due to the dedication of the Board members, and the imaginative and vigorous leadership of its officers. The Presidents of the Friends, to date, merit special recognition. They are: Mr. Frank L. Hagen (1980?81), Mr. Grant Carner (1981-82), Dr. Elizabeth Moore (1982-83), Mrs. Dorothy Dugger (1983-84), Mr. John Babbage (1984-85), Mr. Clyde A. Pitchford (1985-87), Professor George Zentmyer (1987-89), Mr. James Dilworth (1989-90), and Mr. Robert Gunther (1990-92).
The By-Laws of the Friends provide for the honoring of people who have "rendered extraordinary services and contributions to the Gardens over a period of several years." So far (1991), seven people have been so honored: Mr. Robert Gunther, Mrs. Lillian Pickoff, Col. Leo Pickoff, Mrs. Peggy Fouke Wortz, Mr. Dennis Kucera, and Professor Frank Vasek.
As indicated previously, Professor Waines, during the decade of 1980's, gave greater emphasis to improving existing collections than to starting new collections. Nevertheless, a few were started. The largest new collection added was of Citrus cultivars and some near relatives. During Professor Vasek's tenure, a collection of citrus was planted in the central part of the Gardens. It was later discovered that all of these trees were infected (or suspect) with a strain of tristeza, a very destructive, insect-transmitted virus disease. All the trees were removed and burned (1983) with the help of a large crew provided by the California Conservation Corps. A new, comprehensive collection of virus-free citrus was established (1987-89) by Mr. Robert Platt, retired UCR Extension Subtropical Fruit Specialist, and Board members of the Friends. This citrus collection is part of the Subtropical Fruit Collection started by Professor Erickson during the 1970's on approximately two acres of land adjoining the UCR Botanic Gardens, having a south boundary in common with the north boundary of UCRBG. This tract is listed by the Agricultural Operations division of UCR as Plot I of Field 21 but has been seconded to UCRBG on a long-term basis. In 1986, before the citrus was added, it consisted of some 57 cultivars, not only of subtropical, but also some temperate and tropical zone fruits. Included were numerous rosaceous fruits, figs, avocados, guavas, sapotes, mangoes, papayas, and others. In 1986, President Pitchford of the Friends appointed Mr. Robert Platt as chairman of an ad hoc committee to develop further the Subtropical Fruit Collection with the objective of providing a collection of fruits of value in teaching, landscaping, and selecting species or varieties suitable for home orchards in the Riverside area. By 1989, he had added some 34 citrus cultivars or relatives, together with about an equal number of other tree and vine fruits for evaluation in the Riverside area. Most
plants were obtained through donations. Two major donors were the South Seas Nurseries and Brokaw Nurseries, both of Ventura, California, but a substantial number were obtained from donations of funds for one to three plants by individuals. In December, 1990, a severe freeze did extensive damage to the tropical and tender subtropical plants. Some were killed outright, but most of them regenerated after severe pruning in the spring of 1991.
Other collections added or expanded were the Australian planting and the Sonoran Desert collection. The latter honored the late Boysie E. Day. Beginning in 1987, the Gunther Memorial Lathhouse was planted with shade-loving plants such as cycads, certain palms, and others.
During the 1980's, the South African collection was expanded greatly, adding especially succulent plants. Again, the generous donations and dedicated volunteer work of Col. Pickoff and his wife Lillian was the driving force behind this development. The Mediterranean collection was reorganized and expanded. A number of cultivars of camellias and azaleas were added, providing for more displays of blooms during the winter months. Water lilies, donated by the Van Ness Water Gardens of Upland, California, and the Lily Pond of Phoenix, Arizona, were planted (1983) in the pond. The Native Plant Garden was reorganized and upgraded largely through the initiative and volunteer labor of the Cooperative Extension Master Gardener class. During Professor Waines' leadership, the Botanic Gardens has matured into a major educational asset not only to UCR but also to the many local colleges of the Inland Empire and to the primary schools of this region. The Gardens currently (1991) plays a significant role in at least 25 courses offered at UCR. Although a majority of the courses using the resources of the Botanic Gardens are offered by departments in the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, a few are offered by departments in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. The use of the Botanic Gardens as a teaching resource by local schools continued to experience steady growth during the 1980's. In 1991 there were over 70 school tours averaging around 60 students each with students ranging from kindergarten to high school age.
The first Slosson Trust grant signalled that the UCR Botanic Gardens had reached a level of development sufficient to compete for grants from institutions of this kind. This sizeable grant began in 1984 and ran for three years. Its purpose was to evaluate various sage (Salvia) species as low-maintenance ground covers and accent plants. The project resulted in the identification of several water efficient species suitable for landscape use in the Inland Empire. Beginning in 1987, the Hardman Foundation provided a small grant for research on methods of propagation of a rare and endangered native rose species (Rosa minutifolia) with the objective of establishing it in the Gardens, and possibly reestablishing it in the wild. The Slosson Trust provided a second grant (1987), also running for three years, for the purpose of providing urgent labelling of plants. In 1989 and again in 1990, the California Association of Nurserymen provided sizeable grants to establish Mimulus hybrids for the purpose of continuing the hybridizing and selection work of Mr. David Verity of the Mildred E. Mathias Botanic Garden at UCLA. The Cooperative Extension Service provided a substantial grant (1990) to improve the teaching of chaparral plants of the region and to upgrade the relevant sections of the Gardens.
The Annual Plant Sale, started in spring 1973 by Professor Erickson, has developed under Mr. Steve Morgan into one of the major annual events for the UCR Botanic Gardens in terms of volunteer participation, public interest, and increased visibility. In addition, it has provided a means of introducing promising new landscaping plants, both exotic and native, to the home gardens of the Inland Empire. Special attention has been given to water efficient plants. In addition, it has provided the home gardener with a far greater selection of interesting plants than is available in local nurseries and garden stores. Profits from these sales have also increased steadily. In 1982 the sale netted around $2,000, and by 1991 profits had grown to around $11,000. Much of the growth of the annual plant sale since 1982 can be traced to the enthusiastic support given the event by the Friends and the host of volunteers they have provided or stimulated. A Friends plant sale was started in October 1982.
During the decade of the 1980's, there has been a steady increase in the visitors to the Gardens. In 1989, over 600 visitors were counted on Easter weekend, a popular time for visitors. Other counts made during 1989 indicated that about 34,000 people visited the Gardens during that year. This total included around 60 classes of school children, averaging about 60 per class, or 3600 school-age visitors per year. In 1990, almost 70 school groups visited the Gardens. The demand for such guided tours by classes from local schools and other groups has increased steadily. It was clear, even as early as 1982, that all requests for such tours could not be handled by the Gardens' regular staff without neglect of their other duties. Thus, Dr. Rich Adams and Mr. Dennis Kucera started (1982) a volunteer docent training program. Among the first docents to be trained were Mrs. Dorothy Dugger, Mrs. Betty Coleman, and Mr. Dave Hicks. As demand for this service continued to grow through the 1980's Mrs. Eleanor Charlton, with support of the Board of the Friends and assisted by Mr. Steve Morgan and Ms. April Gacsi of the garden staff, and volunteer Mrs. Doris Stockton, trained 25 more volunteer docents (1989-90). Docent-led tours of school children and other student groups have become an important feature of the Gardens' educational program. Its success suggests a need ultimately for a regular staff member devoted solely to managing the Gardens' activities in this and related areas.
One of the most severe freezes in the Gardens' 28 year history occurred on the night of December 22-23, 1990. In Riverside and many other agricultural areas in California, it did extensive damage to crops, and was especially severe in the citrus areas of the San Joaquin Valley. Prior to the fall of 1991, the UCR Botanic Gardens had no weather stations installed to monitor microclimatic conditions. The 1990 freeze demonstrated that sensors to measure at least minimum temperatures could have been very valuable. Extrapolating from selected fairly comparable nearby stations of the U.S. Weather Bureau and UCR Agricultural Operations, it is estimated that the mesa of the Subtropical Fruit Collection (Field 21 of Ag. Operations) experienced a minimum temperature between 22° and 24°F, with five to six hours below 25°F and 10 to 11 hours below 28°F. It was a typical radiation-type freeze, having a sharply increasing temperature gradient with height above ground level. The lowest elevation at the foot of Alder Canyon probably experienced two or three degrees lower, and the higher elevations of the southern slopes two or three degrees higher, minimum temperatures during this freeze. The Rose Garden - Herb Garden mesa area probably experienced temperatures similar to those of the Subtropical Fruit Collection site. This freeze damaged or killed a number of newly established, tender plants in the Subtropical Fruit Orchard, but there was surprisingly little permanent damage in other parts of the Gardens. This 1990 freeze ranks with six other damaging freezes reaching minima of around 22°F or below that the Riverside area has experienced in this century. These occurred in 1913, 1921, 1928, 1937, 1948, and 1950. In the fall of 1991, four weather stations were installed by Professor Walter Reuther of the Friends board to monitor future temperature extremes.
Up to the present (1993), the Friends of UCR Botanic Gardens have published nearly 50 issues (which make up 13 volumes) of the UCRBG Newsletter. In addition to news items of general interest to the membership, it has featured many articles on research projects at the Gardens and on the biology or history of interesting plants. Also, there have been numerous articles on landscaping, varietal adaptation, propagation techniques, cultural methods, and related topics. Most have been written by UCRBG staff members, but some have been prepared by volunteers. An especially prolific and interesting contributor is Mr. William T. Drysdale, a retired educator and long-time plant and garden enthusiast. In addition to the Newsletter articles, the UCRBG staff and others have published a number of educational pamphlets for distribution to the membership of the Friends and visitors to the Gardens. These include: Birds of the UCR Botanic Gardens, originally written by Ken Y. Arakawa, Richard F. Green and Eugene A. Cardiff (1974), and revised by A.C. Sanders (1985), funded by the Friends; Map of UCR Botanic Gardens and Visitors Guide (1976), funded by the Gardens; Botanic Gardens, a color illustrated brochure (1987), funded by the Alumax Corporation and the Friends; Trees of China by Steve Morgan (1989), a self-guided tour funded by the UCR Cooperative Extension Service; Outdoor Classroom, a 30-page self-guided tour of the UCR Botanic Gardens by A. Gacsi, Steve Morgan, and Dennis Kucera (1989), funded by the UCR Cooperative Extension Service; and Southwestern Deserts, a self-guided tour by Steve Morgan & April Gacsi (1989), funded by the Office of Instructional Development. All of these publications have contributed to the botanical or horticultural education of the membership and other clientele.
During Professor Waines' tenure as Director, the Gardens have made steady progress toward achieving its goal of providing the University and the community with a resource commensurate with the University of California's high standard of excellence. Up to 1991 he succeeded in materially expanding his staff and support budget, but this has since been reduced because of State budget problems. He improved the standards of maintenance of the plantings with greater staff resources than was available to his predecessors. However, inadequate staff remains a major constraint to achieving the standard of care desired. Under his leadership, emphasis was placed on reorganizing, renovating, expanding, or otherwise improving existing plantings. He added a few new collections. He gave special emphasis to improving the landscaping and display features of the Gardens. His program of physical improvements greatly improved access and communications within the Gardens. He and his staff forged strong symbiotic relations with the Friends organization to the great benefit of the Gardens, especially of its public service mission. He obtained research and other grants from prestigious extramural agencies, significantly expanding research, teaching, and related activities. At its present rate of progress, the Gardens should largely achieve its goal of becoming an outstanding resource worthy of University of California standards within the next decade or so. Key factors in its rapid progress in the past decade have been the leadership and dedication of its Curator and staff and the initiative, material support, and infectious enthusiasm of the Friends. By 1991, over 100 volunteers had signed on to help in the Botanic Gardens and in the running of the two Plant Sales in spring and fall. Many of these were also members of the Friends Group.
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