Bellevue Botanical 25 Year Overview

Nancy Kartes will share her unique perspective in a look back at the vision, planning, and collaboration that contributed to Bellevue Botanical Garden’s phenomenal success. She will provide a glimpse into plans for future development that will position the Garden well for the next 25 years. Her presentation will be followed by a short tour of future project sites, and the newly opened (as of June 10th) Urban Meadow, which incorporates native plants and pollinator attractants.   Please dress for the weather!

Nancy Kartes discovered the joys of public gardens through student internships while earning a bachelor’s degree in Ornamental Horticulture at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. After graduation, Nancy joined the development staff of the National Tropical Botanical Garden in Hawaii, where she was later promoted to assistant director.

Returning to the Mainland, she was hired by the City of Bellevue’s Parks & Community Services Department in Washington State to transform the dreams of local community organizers into a flourishing botanical garden. Under her leadership, the Bellevue Botanical Garden has grown from a 36-acre property to 53-acres with curated living collections managed in partnership with nine horticultural organizations. In addition to collections — enjoyed by over 200,000 visitors annually — the Garden has a thriving garden shop and espresso bar and hosts community building events year-round. Nancy manages the partnership with the Bellevue Botanical Garden Society, a nonprofit that provides educational programming, hosts events and raises funds on behalf of the Garden.  Refreshments – Public Invited.

Cost:  Free
For more information:  https://www.wnps.org/cps/index3.html