2020
annual report
fromthe thedirector director from COVID. There. It has been said. There were many negative issues that defined 2020 as perhaps one of the worst years in most of our lives, but this one word was probably the most prevalent in affecting our personal and work lives. Someone reading this years from now will likely still be able to relate. A single word evoking so much history and imagery. Without a doubt it was the most challenging in my years leading an organization. Shutting down as an organization for three months, spending weeks developing protocols for safe re-opening, doing everything in my power to keep staff safe and paid, developing major events and paying for national exhibits with no guarantee that they would be held, learning far too many methods to communicate and work remotely, and losing sleep over projections of what this would mean to our financial health for years to come. . . nobody can prepare you to lead through that many issues in one year. In spite of that – indeed, in your face pandemic – we accomplished more than we ever have in a single year in my tenure. We kept staff and visitors safe. We re-opened both outdoor gardens (June 1) and the Conservatory Complex (October 1) earlier than most public gardens in the country. We kept members, donors, volunteers and others connected with regular video output – we found ways to educate remotely. We provided intern opportunities to nine students when other internships around the country were canceled. We brought volunteers back safely sooner than other organizations. We provided not one, but two nationally acclaimed exhibits that our public could enjoy safely outdoors. We held our most successful Spirits in the Gardens/Jack-o-Lanterns event ever. We launched a brand new holiday light show with consistently sold out nights. We prevailed and provided. We improved the grounds with large and small projects. We refurbished the entire front entrance siding and entrance walk. We finished around 2,100 linear feet or roughly half a mile of new wide, accessible sidewalks. We brought Sycamore Falls to a point where we can finally open it in the spring. We built a gorgeous sleek pergola on the summit of the Hillside Water-wise Garden. We gave Elwood new wider steps and a handrail. Our support through this has come from so many sources. Leadership and strong support from my “boss,” Duane Reeves. Financial support and participation from our donors and members. Patience and bravery from our volunteers. Attendance and understanding from our community. New partnerships with community schools and organizations. Encouragement from the Reiman family. All of these things you will read about inside this annual report. Make no mistake, 2021 will not be without its challenges. We know we can handle it. 2020 proved us Resilient. Resourceful. Determined. Braver. The Director’s message is always focused on thanking those who support us. When I express our deep gratitude and sincere appreciation this year, know how much that support meant especially in a year like this. Truly, the cliché “words fail” is applicable. As you read through this annual report, I hope you will be amazed that we could accomplish so much in such a tough year. It is only through the support of all of our friends that we were able to do that. Thank you. The words are not enough but Thank You.
Ed Lyon, Reiman Gardens Director
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contents 2 from the director
16
winter wonderscape
4 director's notes
17
rg express train display
7 reiman gardens' staff
18 education
8 admissions
20 horticulture
9 rentals; membership
22 entomology
10 memorials
24 volunteers
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director's circle
25
internship program
12 development; donors
26
gift shop
13
2020 theme & exhibit
27
communications &
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public events
looking ahead
15
spirits in the gardens
25th anniversary reflections
28
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director's director's notes Our last two years have been about projects, large and small. So much so that one of the questions I receive now is, “what is the next big project?” There are no large projects scheduled for 2021. This is in part because we will be recovering from the financial duress caused by COVID, but also because some of us need a rest! If you have been following the information we distribute, you will know that two of the largest projects, the Hillside Water-wise Garden and Sycamore Falls, have had construction related issues that have forced Sarah Rummery and I to be project managers for the past four years. It has been exhausting, but we have kept our eyes directed to what these projects will mean to attracting visitors and putting Reiman Gardens on the public garden destination map. As I mentioned in my Director’s Report, in spite of COVID, we may have accomplished as much in new projects as we ever have other than building the Gardens. Here are those projects:
Sycamore Falls We will not dwell on the insanely large number of issues that have delayed this project over four years, but instead finally announce that Sycamore Falls will open in early summer. There are still some corrections that need to be made to the water feature, but we have seen it running with water and it is exactly what we envisioned. We planted a fair number of plants during fall; there will be more in the spring. We did use the site as enhancements to Spirits in the Gardens and the Winter Wonderscape holiday light show, but no one has yet traversed the site as a garden space. It has been a long, arduous haul, but we hope it adds to visitation in 2021 and beyond.
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Hillside Water-wise Garden This innovative garden saw its first year without any wall failures, so we think those issues should be behind us. This site saw lots of traffic for the time periods we were open. Sculptural pieces from our two summer exhibits made it a destination, and the walls were used to project light shows for Winter Wonderscape. The biggest news is that we constructed a stunning pergola at its summit to complete the design intent. This pergola was a gift from members Joyce and Bud Nichol. Details about this generous gift can be found later in the Donor Spotlight.
Elwood One of the major disappointments of 2020 was canceling plans to celebrate Elwood’s 10th birthday, including a Guinness Book of World Records attempt at the most people in one gathering dressed as gnomes. But thanks to members John and Linda Schuh, Elwood still got a birthday gift – a rebuilt larger pad and steps, as well as a hand railing. Read more about the Schuh's and their birthday present to Elwood in the Donor Spotlight.
The Front Entrance During the past several years, we have been watching rot creep into the cedar siding of our front entrance structure and the handrails. In addition, the aggregate stone walkway was cracking and pitting, creating safety concerns. Waiting any longer to address these issues would risk the rot internalizing and making for even more costly replacement down the line. We used the time that we were shut down for COVID to replace the cedar, handrails and walkway. This project has renewed the positive first impression of the Gardens for our visitors.
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director's notes Winter Wonderscape In my estimation, quite possibly our most successful “project” in 2020 was the Winter Wonderscape holiday light show described more fully later in the report. This project was two years of planning as a goal for increasing audience and revenue in a slower season. It would also complement our already successful RG Express holiday train show. By June, I was lamenting that COVID could delay the launch of this event another year. However, after a Nature Connects related visit to Denver in mid-July and seeing major public sites there re-open safely to sold-out crowds, I became convinced that we could launch events safely, especially with the advantage of an outdoor setting. In fact, by September I was convinced we had to offer both Spirits in the Gardens and Winter Wonderscape because our public already had so much taken away. The degree of success and participation with sold out nights proved this decision true. Both events were highlighted by thousands of participants thanking us for providing these activities during such an event limited and stressful time.
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staff Ed Lyon Director
Aaron Steil Assistant Director
Brenda Angell Custodial Manager
Nathan Brockman Curator, Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing
Joy Childress
Sara Merritt
Marilyn Schnormeier
Education Manager
Gift Shop Manager
Grant, Sponsorship & Membership Coordinator
Ed Moran
Lindsey Smith
Senior Horticulturist
Collections Curator
Kara Hetrick
Debbi Regennitter
Maria Teply
Horticulturist
Glasshouse Assistant
Communications Coordinator
Amy Huff
Sharon Rink
Beth Wessel-Kroeschell
Graphic Designer
Landscape Horticulturist
Events Coordinator
Kris Johnston
Renee Rule
Anita Westphal
Administrative Assistant
Guest Services & Events Manager
Butterfly Wing Assistant
Jessie Liebenguth
Sarah Rummery
Glasshouse Horticulturist & Grower
Taylor Woodcock
Manager of Horticulture
Volunteer Coordinator
Business & Finance Manager
Katie Getting
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admissions This year, despite being closed for 2.5 months due to COVID-19, we were still able to provide engaging, high quality exhibits along with amazing horticultural displays, fun events, and informative programs to bring people to Reiman 2
Gardens. Next year we are excited to bring OrigamiintheGarden to the Gardens. This outdoor sculpture exhibition created by Jennifer and Kevin Box captures the delicate nature of the origami art form in large scale metal sculptures. This exhibition should help us continue to attract even more visitors to the Gardens.
$285,586 $243,051
$221,693
$254,561
$242,126
$169,033
2014
$163,857
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
admissions income
92,064 81,289 65,740
76,050
71,602
44,550
2014
39,356
2015
2016
2017
2018
attendance
88
2019
2020
rentals 2020 was a tumultuous year for rentals. COVID-19 forced many events to cancel, postpone and reschedule. Starting in mid-March, over 75 events were rescheduled or canceled including 14 weddings. Once we were able to open safely, events proceeded with additional safety requirements, with masks mandated and at 50% capacity within rental spaces. Despite this, Reiman Gardens went on to win Ames Tribune's "Best of Story County Wedding Venue" for the 5th year in a row, proving that despite setbacks, Reiman Gardens' Events staff is committed to providing exceptional service to our rental clients.
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cancelled rentals due to COVID-19
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$52,019
65
weddings
total revenue
total rentals
(vs. 40-45 pre-COVID)
(vs. $141,125 pre-COVID)
(vs. 350-400 pre-COVID)
membership In 2020, the only member-only event we were able to host came in February for our Orchid Fest Preview Party. It was a wonderful event with so many beautiful and unique orchids for sale. We were overjoyed with our 339 person turnout.
This past year was a time that tested us in ways that we could not imagine, but we, at Reiman Gardens, were fortunate to also see a lot of good come out of the pandemic. Despite so much happening all around us, our members stood by our side and continued to renew their memberships even during periods when the Gardens had to remain closed for safety. We truly could not have made it through the last year without you. When we finally were able to reopen to the public in June, we designated the first week for members only to ensure limited attendance for a safer visiting experience, and also to show a small token of our appreciation to our members.
As we look back on all these things, it is important to also look forward to all the events and celebrations to come once it is again safe to hold them. Until then, we will continue to brainstorm ways to safely host member-only events and show our loyal donors how much we appreciate them.
$221,434.69 Revenue (FY20)
2,897
Member Households 9
memorials In Honor of Marianne Berhow
In Honor of Chuck McClurg
Laura Howard
Mary Jennings
In Honor of Hamilton Cravens
In Memory of Edward Molis
Heather Watne
Michael Schmidt and Lauren McCarthy
In Memory of John Dasher
In Memory of Emma Orienta Cosimo
James and Barbara Gohman
Alexis Dahlhauser
In Honor of Dee and Don Draper
In Memory of Patricia Pearson
Kirsten Linney
Amy Keng
In Honor of Tim and Corinne DuFresne Lindsay DuFresne
In Memory of Patsy Sater Larry and Sandra Bass Jeffrey and Ann Dawson Nancy Hackbarth
In Memory of Cynthia Gallagher Warren and Libby Franke
In Honor of Joanne Tedesco’s 80th Birthday
John and Jane Jacobson
Tari Gulbrandsen
In Honor of Danielle Harrington Lisa Gustin
In Memory of Jon Ulstad Julie Nail
In Memory of Dorothy Wilcox In Memory of Brice Charles Janvrin
Arlen and Eloise Ericson
Bruce and Diane Janvrin
Lois Vidimos
Please consider Reiman Gardens when planning your estate and making your charitable contributions. To make a tax-deductible gift to Reiman Gardens you can visit our website and click on “Donate” at the top of the page or send a check to Reiman Gardens, 1407 University Blvd., Ames, IA 50011. For more information about including Reiman Gardens in your will or estate planning, please contact the Gardens at 515-294-3755 or rgmembership@iastate.edu.
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director’s circle The Director’s Circle recognizes donors who give $1,000 or more annually. Members of the Director’s Circle receive Patron level membership benefits, special communications from Director Ed Lyon, and invitations to exclusive events including an annual donor recognition event. Director’s Circle gifts help fund gardens, butterflies, educational programming, internships, and capital improvements. Gifts to the Director’s Circle count toward annual and lifetime recognition through Iowa State University’s Order of the Knoll.
Members of Reiman Gardens’ 2020 Director's Circle (FY20): Rick Bartosh
Al and Ann Jennings
Max and Monica Porter
Sarah Binder
Jerry and Sally Jones
Roy and Bobbi Reiman
James and Kathleen Black
Ruth Larson
Ruth Ann Robson
Janice Coy
Jane Lohnes
Bob and Dorothy Rust
Marilyn and Tedd Devick
Beverly and Warren Madden
Dean and Judy Sampson
Dee and Don Draper
Carroll and Fidella Marty
John and Linda Schuh
Kate Gregory
Louise McCormick
Linda and Tom Sharpnack
Ruth Harris
William and Barbara Mengeling
Vaughn Speer
David and Carol Hawn
Bud and Joyce Nichol
David and Toni Wheelock
Jeff and Susie Hemphill
Katharine Outka
Robert and Elizabeth Wych
David Hoffman
Stephen and Marty Penkhus
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development Thank you to everyone who made a donation above and beyond membership this past fiscal year! Because of generous people like you, the Gardens was able to fund:
• Year-round maintenance and beautification of the Gardens • Butterfly chrysalides (approx. 800 species are featured with new ones purchased every week) • Family, k-12, and adult education opportunities • Research and instruction in our living laboratory for Iowa State University students • Community events like Spirits in the Gardens and Winter Wonderscape • Top-notch annual exhibits like Nature Connects, Ribbit the Exhibit, and the RG Express Holiday Train display • Day-to-day operations Since Reiman Gardens is a unit of Iowa State University, all private gifts are processed through the Iowa State University Foundation and are tax-deductible as allowable by law. Reiman Gardens is grateful for every dollar received from our generous donors.
donor spotlight Joyce and Bud Nichol Joyce and Bud Nichol have been long-time supporters to Reiman Gardens, as members and volunteers. Their support grew in 2020 with a generous donation to fund a beautiful addition to the Hillside Water-wise Garden. The summit of this garden space was built with a platform to eventually support a pergola that would provide shade and aesthetics to the site. With Joyce and Bud’s gift, we were able to design and build a unique structure that reflects the nature of the long limestone walls. This structure has a steel frame with weather resistant wood slatted "roofing" so it should delight visitors for many years to come.
John and Linda Schuh John and Linda Schuh have contributed often to support much-needed projects at Reiman Gardens, and in 2020 they gave a wonderful “birthday gift!" Elwood celebrated his 10th birthday in 2020. Unfortunately, we couldn't hold events celebrating that, but he got updates regardless! Thanks to a generous gift from John and Linda, his deteriorating steps were replaced with much wider stone, his base was expanded for more capacity of people around him for photographs, and a handrail was added for accessibility. In addition to our regular garden guests, he has his own audience of people who seek out roadside attractions. These are appreciated updates that are making his admirers happy!
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2020 theme & exhibit In 2020 Reiman Gardens' yearly theme was Wild and Whimsical. For the first time ever, the Gardens offered two major exhibits to the public. Though our two and a half month shut down due to COVID-19 delayed its opening, the always popular Nature Connects®: Art with LEGO® Bricks returned in June with its fifth and final series. This group of 12 larger than life LEGO sculptures featured wild animals that are threatened, endangered, and even extinct. The exhibit included a mama polar bear and her cubs, a majestic snow leopard, a true to life zebra and wildebeest, as well as a host of other fascinating creatures. As always, the LEGO sculptures were a favorite with visitors of all ages.
Beginning in July, the Gardens welcomed Ribbit the Exhibit, a captivating and whimsical collection of human-scale frog sculptures. Artist J.A. Cobb crafted the pieces from copper and gave each one unique personality and interests. They included a musical trio, a bicycling frog, a Zen meditating frog and even an interpretation of the Grant Wood classic, “American Gothic.” These friendly fellows added whimsy and fun as we welcomed visitors back, and provided a safe, outdoor destination for the community.
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public events Our public events changed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While some events had to be canceled, we worked hard to add and modify events in an attempt to provide safe outdoor activities for Reiman Gardens’ guests. This started with our annual Reiman Gardens’ Plant Sale Extravaganza, which became an online event. The new format worked well and the plant sale was as popular as ever. When restrictions on gatherings were lessened, Reiman Gardens created new Picnic Nights for families and couples to experience the Gardens in the evening hours. Guests brought picnic dinners and enjoyed social distancing while relaxing in many of the beautiful spaces throughout our 17-acres. In September, we added an outdoor Movie Night. Back to the Future was a popular choice and again, allowed our guests to get out of their homes safely for a fun evening. We plan to have more Picnic and Movie Nights in summer 2021. With a lot of hard work and determination from staff and volunteers, Reiman Gardens was able to safely reimagine one of our biggest events, Spirits in the Gardens, while also preparing for the debut of our first ever walk-through light show, Winter Wonderscape. While the COVID-19 pandemic made it impossible to hold many of Reiman Gardens' most popular events in 2020, we look forward to welcoming visitors for these events again as soon as it is safe.
spirits in the gardens Always a family favorite, Spirits in the Gardens required some big changes this year to make it safe for all of our visitors. To help spread out the crowds which have grown each year of this successful event, we added a second weekend to the festival and implemented online purchase, timed ticketing. A mostly one-way path spread throughout the Gardens was used to help visitors social distance while viewing the pumpkins, and treat bags were handed out instead of our normal trick-or-treating to help create a safe and fun event for all ages. Volunteers carved more than 1,200 amazing jack-o-lanterns to display during the event (600 each weekend). When the sun went down, the views were unique and incredible! In addition, visitors were treated to exciting Halloween video projections on hidden screens throughout the Gardens. These projections added music and fun as they seemed to appear out of thin air and gave personality to our brand new giant pumpkin. For the first time ever, the public was allowed to preview our newest garden space, Sycamore Falls, which will officially open in spring 2021. There they discovered more exciting pumpkins, beautiful glowing orbs and a dramatically lit tower. As always, we couldn't have done it without our amazing volunteers! Iowa State students and community members came for a wide variety of reasons to carve pumpkins and help staff the event. Volunteer Kathleen Buchholz worked year round organizing the pumpkin stencils and working with a vast number of volunteers to cut stencils before we even began the work in October. The carving event also experienced many changes, as we followed Iowa State University protocols to make sure everyone remained safe. Professional pumpkin carvers, Suzy and Michael Rickels carved eight intricate shaded jack-o-lanterns and shared their amazing foam carved pumpkins (known as funkins), which were displayed in the Garden Room. Guests also enjoyed a spooky insect display which showcased our tarantulas and scorpions. Despite all of the challenges of 2020, Spirits in the Gardens was once again a very popular event, with 3,591 guests in attendance bringing in $26,156 in revenue. We look forward to next year with the hopes that we will again be able to welcome higher numbers of visitors with fewer restrictions.
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winter wonderscape In December and January, Reiman Gardens was thrilled to offer Winter Wonderscape, our first ever walk-through holiday light show featuring a variety of immersive light displays throughout our entire 17-acre site. Staff and volunteers worked for months to construct and prepare the light show in the hopes of providing the community with a safe and uplifting holiday event to enjoy with family and friends. Visitors were able to walk through brightly lit tunnels, meander past an enchanting rose garden, enjoy massive disco balls twirling to laser lights and discover a beautiful giant snowflake along with a wide array of other sparkling wonders. One popular attraction was the whimsical lighted sculptures created by a team of our dedicated volunteers. They included Peter Rabbit in the Edible Garden, the metamorphosis of the luna moth, penguins cavorting around Lake Helen on skis, sleds and ice skates and a pair of "Campaniling" kissing polar bears. Another crowd favorite was the colorful lighted cubes floating on Lake Helen and the magical glowing orbs spread throughout Sycamore Falls that seemed to dance in time to the holiday music. Near the end of the journey, our giant "Everest" tree became a popular photo spot for couples and families alike. We even had a few marriage proposals during the course of the show. When rising COVID numbers and new restrictions in October put the future of Winter Wonderscape in jeopardy, staff acted quickly, making updates and changes to ensure the event remained safe and enjoyable for everyone. By implementing a mostly one-way path for physical distancing, requiring face coverings and limiting nightly capacity, the outdoor light show offered a welcome escape for pandemic weary visitors. We could not have predicted the overwhelming response that Winter Wonderscape would have in just its first year. Admission revenue totaled $102,473, with more than 11,400 visitors attending over the course of the show. This far exceeded our expectations, but even more gratifying were the comments we received from guests telling us how much they enjoyed the show and thanking us for creating this community event. These accolades have inspired us to plan an even more spectacular event for next holiday season.
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rg express train display The popular RG Express train display rolled into the Gardens' Hughes Conservatory again in November, delighting visitors with holiday fun. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 restrictions we were not able to offer the display during our Winter Wonderscape light show as planned. The display was open during our regular daytime hours, however, and visitors young and old were enchanted by the custom-built garden-scale train. They could walk past, around, and under miniature buildings and bridges historically significant to Iowa State University and Ames' local history. The display was built by Applied Imagination, an internationally recognized company whose amazing displays unite botanical design and architecture.
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education We’re not gonna lie; 2020 has been HARD. In Education at Reiman Gardens, we facilitate experiences that bring people together to learn in our beautiful spaces. When tours, programs, and events ceased, the shift to remote options required a steep climb. Though the pandemic forced us to cancel most scheduled programs and tours, it also shifted our perspectives in several meaningful ways. Embracing virtual programs has helped expand our audience to people out of town and even out of state. Using Zoom for adult programs, not to mention work and personal meetings, is increasingly easier and more common. Nature at Noon (formerly Brown Bag) and other programs have made this jump. Connecting remotely with our volunteers and community was another challenge. Starting in April, our resilient Caterpillar Club volunteers made videos that feature children’s books, Gardens updates, activity inspirations, and the sense of community that engages our Caterpillar Club families. See these on the Reiman Gardens YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/ReimanGardens. This team has produced nearly 50 videos that have almost 1,500 views! We also learned that a hybrid format doesn’t suit every situation. In July, we experimented with Plant Pals and Junior Master Gardeners over Zoom, but for a program based on hands-on gardening, and without garden-wide Wi-Fi, virtual just couldn’t cut it. We’re still pivoting. In the end, our community remained generous and supportive. Over half of our 202 scheduled programs were canceled, and we lost out on nearly all tour income, but we are grateful to those who generously donated program fees to support Education at the Gardens.
2020 compared to 5-year average: Program Program Tour Tour TOTAL Attendees Revenue Attendees Revenue Revenue 5-Year Average
2020
• • • • •
Program attendees (and YouTube views): 2,416 (-38%) Program revenue: $5,270 (-67%) Tour participants: 199 (-96%) Tour revenue: $921 (-97%) Total Revenue: $6,191 (-87%)
Observational Evaluations When Covid-19 closed the Gardens in March, reopening safely became critical. Staff researched and created guidelines, operations, and increased internal communications to ensure the health and safety of our staff, volunteers and public while innovating ways to bring in revenue. The Education department led the assessment of these practices through observational evaluations of physical distancing, mask compliance and other pandemic adaptations. With early help from other staff we collected observations twice daily, resulting in 176 observations and over 250 hours of work throughout the process. Analysis of this robust data informed our decisions in successive phases of reopening, and the leadership and determination from the Education staff enabled the Gardens to measure the success of our efforts.
Science Communication This year’s Science Communication Fellowship, which provides training in informal education and science communication for scientists, involved 13 ISU students, researchers and faculty. Despite interruptions by the pandemic and the derecho, fellows adapted their activities to fit new event formats, such as this year’s Spirits in the Gardens. We look forward to creatively continuing this work in 2021.
Wreath Kits – a holiday hit! Our popular Wreath Workshop translated well to a remote program, with materials kits and a video tutorial to guide wreath making at home. While some missed the in-person workshop, many enjoyed the project even more on their own, meaning the kit version is likely here to stay. This adapted program was our most successful offering of 2020!
Education Specialist Jacqueline Venner Senske Since 2018, Jacqueline has been a member of the Program Selection Committee for the American Public Gardens Association, comprising 600+ public horticulture organizations worldwide. This summer, she was invited to serve as Committee Chair through 2023. Congratulations to Jacqueline on this honor and professional acknowledgement!
Education Manager Sara Merritt This fall, Sara received an Informal Learning in Museums Professional Certificate from Oregon State University. Sara’s coursework in evaluation, visitor motivations, and free-choice learning was incredibly timely throughout 2020, with much of this learning going directly into practice as the Gardens constantly assessed and adapted to dynamic conditions. Congratulations to Sara on this accomplishment!
Guide by Cell This year we anticipated a need to connect with visitors more evocatively through alternative platforms. So we invested in mobile technology to provide engagement options beyond written interpretation. From smartphone tours to polls, quizzes, and interactive games, visitors in 2021 can find more to do and more to learn at their fingertips.
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horticulture Before our world was turned upside-down by COVID-19 in March, the Horticulture team was happily on our way to a spring and summer full of great student workers, great volunteers, great exhibits and planting displays, and great events. But the world had other plans. What turned out great instead was how we rallied together (but “socially distant”) and found new, innovative, more efficient ways to work together, accomplish goals, and address challenges. Adapting and pivoting quickly became our new norm.
Challenges We did not have a consistent roster of student gardeners, March through December. Something was always changing. People hired for the spring or summer didn't start because they left Ames, while others found us on short notice when their out-of-town internships got canceled. We faced a constant rotation of absent gardeners due to virus exposure or infection. All this uncertainty pushed us beyond our norms. We began using technology to video-conference interviews, often with our team in different parts of the Gardens. We used web-based apps to communicate and monitor daily tasks so gardeners and supervisors needn’t be face-toface. We divided up tools, such as hoses, shovels, and rakes, so pods of gardeners could keep a small inventory out in their “areas,” reducing trips back to the communal maintenance garage. Because the Gardens was closed to the public in April, only the horticulture staff was able to enjoy, in-person, the display of 55,000 tulips blooming. The Gardens was eerily quiet during those weeks. A skeleton staff kept mowing, weeding, and making plans; hoping the visitors and volunteers would return; wanting to share the beauty, tranquility, and comfort with our community. Horticulture volunteers cautiously returned to help in May. Visitors cautiously returned to the outside gardens in June. The staff rejoiced.
Virtual Plant Sale The (Virtual) Plant Sale was truly remarkable. Planning for the Plant Sale Extravaganza started in January and by late-March, as the state slowly began shutting down due to the pandemic, it became clear our typical event would not work in 2020. In early April, the university canceled all in-person events and classes through the end of May. Sadly, with the shutdown of campus and students not returning to in-person classes, our student partners could not contribute, so we pivoted to an online plant sale. Two weeks of tremendous staff effort researching, planning, and populating a new-to-us e-commerce website positioned us to hold our first-ever online plant sale in May. The new format allowed for two-weeks of online sales, compared to our traditional three-day in-person event. We were blown away by the community response! We had our best plant sale ever — again — and raised an additional $5000 over our previous record! I wrote an article about our sale for APGA's Public Garden Magazine (page 11).
Plant-A-Row-for-the-Hungry With more people in our local community facing food insecurity and relying on food pantries due to the pandemic, one summer intern dedicated her special project to supporting Plant A Row for the Hungry. She planted extra rows of vegetables at fallow spots in the Gardens and spent a few Saturdays picking up produce from Downtown Ames Farmers Market vendors. This plus contributions from our Edible Garden and Trial Garden yielded over 2,700 pounds of fresh produce. Over 1,200 pounds come from the generous Farmers Market vendors, a 150% increase over 2019. All of these efforts helped PAR distribute over 13,000 pounds of fresh produce within our local community.
New Accessible Pathways Being able to replace our gravel paths with concrete sidewalks proved to be one of the greatest tangible benefits of the garden shutdown in April and May. This project, like many, started months earlier. While other projects went on hold, this one sped up. Initially planned as two, possibly three, phases of sectioned demolition followed by new sidewalk installation, we allowed the contractor to demolish all the central gravel paths at once and pour over 200 yards of concrete in just one week. This makes a huge improvement to the safety and accessibility of our garden circulation and quality of our visitor experience.
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entomology Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing Due to restrictions from Covid-19 we were unable to have visitors in the Gardens from mid-March to June. During this time we continued to receive pupae shipments from our suppliers. Since shipments are scheduled for an entire year and some species take several weeks to reach the pupal stage, canceling shipments would have left suppliers with large surpluses and no buyers. Reiman Gardens continued to receive butterflies when suppliers were able to get them routed out of the country. Most suppliers are small businesses in developing countries and continuing shipments helped them to survive the financial crisis. Without these suppliers we couldn’t have a butterfly exhibit. When the outdoor gardens re-opened in June, we began to offer Private Butterfly Wing Tours which allowed the public to have access to the Butterfly Wing while the buildings remained closed. When the buildings re-opened this fall we had to set some new rules for visiting the Butterfly Wing. We are allowing only three groups of up to six visitors at a time in the flight house. Because it can be difficult to communicate effectively when wearing a mask, we are using a video for our introductory instructions to ensure visitors can easily understand the rules. These precautions will remain until social distancing is no longer necessary.
Entomology Experience Many of our visitors often express curiosity about what happens in the entomology lab. As a way to help make up for lost revenue we started offering the Entomology Experience. This is a private, hands-on visit where participants can learn about the inner workings of the lab from our entomology staff. Visitors don a lab coat, handle the invertebrates and learn firsthand about the animal care and research that happens behind the scenes. This has been a fascinating educational experience for participants of all ages.
New Species For years, the entomology department at Reiman Gardens was all about butterflies and moths, both native and tropical, but in the past couple of years we have obtained USDA permits that allow us to acquire and keep other invertebrate colonies. Some species have been purchased through grants and acquired from USFWS seizures, but because of the pandemic we have taken in invertebrates from other institutions that have had to scale back. We have received many new species as well as adding to existing colonies.
Research Projects While research is not the primary function of the entomology department, it is something that has consistently occurred since the opening of the lab. Some of the research projects have included a butterfly flight study using a wind tunnel, developing rearing methods for several threatened and endangered butterfly species and a year-long study on the longevity of the butterflies flown in the flight house. For the past year we have been conducting research on the feeding preferences of jade-headed buffalo beetle grubs. Findings from these types of projects will help us and other institutions improve the health and sustainability of exhibits.
Videos During the period of time when the Gardens was closed, Nathan Brockman, our Butterfly Wing Curator, along with other staff members, created several videos to maintain a connection to the Gardens for our volunteers and visitors. The videos showed new improvements to the Gardens, the tulips in bloom and amongst several others, a six and a half hour visit to the Butterfly Wing. This video was filmed from the perspective of relaxing on one of the benches in the Wing and watching the butterflies around you. It makes a great background piece for home during activities because you can hear the waterfalls in the pond and just look up to see butterflies flying around. You can view this video at https://youtu.be/GAh1qKJZANU.
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volunteers While this past year brought many challenges, it also provided us with opportunities to engage and support our volunteers in new ways. These shifts have not been easy for anyone, but our volunteers persisted, and for that, we are grateful. When our doors closed this past spring and summer, volunteer activities at the Gardens ceased. However, we quickly created opportunities that volunteers could help with from the safety of their own homes. While we could not replace the experience of digging into the dirt or walking amongst the butterflies, these at-home activities supported our many departments and furthered the mission of the Gardens. When we reopened over the summer, volunteers were invited to rejoin our staff with various outdoor projects. Our indoor volunteer activities have slowly returned this fall and winter, with more to return later in the next year. Some of our other volunteer accomplishments from this past year:
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Interviewed potential volunteers virtually and provided them with online orientation Continued to offer training and continuing education opportunities using remote learning techniques Kept connection and communication going with volunteers through monthly newsletters, phone calls, postcards, virtual coffee breaks and other online activities
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Engaged volunteers in other states and countries with remote translation projects Volunteers continued to offer our weekly Caterpillar Club program by switching format to an online program Offered safe, in person volunteer activities, including our annual pumpkin carving event Planted Sycamore Falls, twice Partnered with 19 public gardens around the country to create virtual field trips for all of our volunteers Moved our annual Volunteer Appreciation Reception to an online celebration
Volunteers are an important and imperative piece of everything we do at Reiman Gardens. We are so proud of the creativity and resilience that our volunteers displayed this past year. They are the reason for our success. We look forward to a 2021 that will hopefully be better for everyone.
The complete Volunteer Impact Report for 2020 is on the volunteer page of our website.
internship program The Gardens has hired 160 interns since 1995. These college students gain relevant experience and knowledge as they work alongside full-time staff over the summer months. In a year where many internships were canceled due to COVID-19, this year we were still able to employ a diverse group of students from Iowa State University representing majors that ranged from agriculture education and horticulture to events management, apparel merchandising, agronomy and biology. The program looked a little different this year to provide hands-on work experience and educational opportunities while maintaining physical distancing, mask wearing and safe gathering protocols. These students got to participate in various projects, field trips and educational sessions with staff and other professionals to experience and understand what it means to work at a public garden. Additionally, this group, who worked in many different areas of the Gardens, teamed together on a project that shared their experiences with the public. Their blog is on the Reiman Gardens website. To see the great things these students accomplished, check it out at http://www.reimangardens.com/intern-blog/
name
internship area
major
Alexis Acton
Garden & Landscape Maintenance
Biology
Isabelle Armstrong Private Events
Event Management
Lori Croghan
Garden & Landscape Maintenance
Horticulture
Kate Helms
Garden & Landscape Maintenance
Horticulture
Jesse Howard
Retail Management
Apparel Merchandising
Annika Koppes
Education
Ag Life Science Education
Chase Krug
Plant Collections & Records
Agronomy
Kayren Robinson
Glasshouse Display & Greenhouse Production
Horticulture
Dalena Rogers
Glasshouse Display & Greenhouse Production
Horticulture
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gift shop Reiman Gardens' Gift Shop ushered in 2020 with a new mindset, a mission statement of our very own to guide us in our daily operations. The Gift Shop strives to support the overall mission of the Gardens “To educate, enchant, and inspire an appreciation of plants, butterflies and the beauty of the natural world” by offering a variety of unique products. Our product selection supports core values of nature, education, culture, inspiration, stewardship, sustainability and beauty. Our vision is to create an inviting shopping experience for our patrons to enhance their overall visit at our world class public garden. Some classifications of merchandise offered were eliminated altogether to bring our assortment of products in line with where this mission statement guides us.
This year, 2020, has been a year of “firsts” for the Gift Shop. We conducted our first-ever, all-store fiscal inventory. The pandemic shuttered our doors to public access on March 17th. To maintain some stream of revenue, we launched or first on-line store for the Gift Shop offering curbside delivery. The Gardens re-opened outdoor spaces to the public in June. The Gift Shop successfully sold bottled water and garden décor items from the kiosk at the entrance. Product originally purchased for sale to support the summer exhibit, Ribbit the Exhibit, sold out, was reordered and sold out a second time! We hosted two interns, one during the summer months and one during fall semester, both from ISU Department of Apparel, Events and Hospitality Management. When the Gift Shop reopened to the public in August, we had been closed for 22 weeks, yet remained profitable despite COVID. The community recognized Reiman Gardens' Gift Shop for the first time ever via the Ames Tribune as one of Story County’s Best Gift Shops!
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communications COVID-19 certainly impacted the Communications Department this year, and while some areas proved to be challenging, we found success in others. Unfortunately, we had fewer news stories published this year because of canceled events and programs. Because fewer people visited in person this year, we saw a huge surge in social media engagement, which was a very positive outcome for the Communications Department. During our shut down, we worked hard to stay connected with our members, donors and the community by posting videos and photos of the Gardens to our accounts on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram. While visitors were not allowed to view the spring flowers and incredible tulip display in person, we tried to provide a virtual glimpse into the amazing beauty coming to life in the Gardens.
Email Subscriber Counts
News Stories and Media Mentions
• December 2018: 7,118 subscribers
• 2017: 23 stories
• December 2019: 7,787 subscribers
• 2018: 58 stories
• December 2020: 7,589 subscribers
• 2019: 59 stories • 2020: 20 stories
Social Media Follower Counts
Social Media Number of Posts
December 2018: 8,622 followers
2018: 284 posts
December 2019: 12,493 followers
2019: 505 posts
December 2020: 15,901 followers
2020: 644 posts
December 2018: 1,628 followers
2018: 247 posts
December 2019: 1,726 followers
2019: 399 posts
December 2020: 1,820 followers
2020: 532 posts
December 2018: 1,054 followers
2018: 226 posts
December 2019: 1,427 followers
2019: 317 posts
December 2020: 2,022 followers
2020: 403 posts
Botanical Peace 2 by Kevin Box
looking ahead In 2021 we will take time to reflect, connect, and celebrate what ties us to nature, and to each other. In spring we welcome blossoming bulbs and sculpture exhibit “OrigamiintheGarden²,” both representing a labor of love, patience, and the power of the human spirit. Like origami, nature folds and unfolds in breathtaking ways. From planting schedules and natural cycles to balance in form and structure, you’ll see universal patterns reflected in our garden displays and mesmerizing holiday lights. The living earth repeats its many shapes in all colors and shades. It gives us healing herbs and a sense of peace we hope to share as you seek respite and enjoyment in tranquil places and programs we’ve cultivated for you this year.
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reflections from 25 years During 2020, we had planned to celebrate our 25th anniversary with a variety of exciting displays and activities, including a gallery of past Reiman Gardens photos in our Garden Room, an anniversary celebration and even a Guinness Book World Record attempt inspired by our very own Elwood the Gnome, who turned 10 this year. Like it did for most of the world, COVID-19 forced the cancellation of most of our plans, as we switched our focus to being able to provide our visitors with a safe place in which to relax and try to diminish some of the worries of the global pandemic. While we weren't able to celebrate our first 25 years with the fanfare that it truly deserved, we are still incredibly proud of everything that has been accomplished during that time and can't wait to see what the future will bring.
Reiman Gardens' History Spurred by the desire for more space and a somewhat off-hand comment from alumnus Roy Reiman to the University president, Iowa State University's horticulture garden found a new home in the early 1990s. Horticulture Department faculty and ISU administrators considered the possibility of moving the gardens to a larger, more visible location to beautify the entrance to the city of Ames and Iowa State University. In 1993, ISU President Martin Jischke and others presented Roy and his wife Bobbi with plans for today’s Reiman Gardens. The Reimans generously gave $1.3 million to initiate phase one of the new gardens. Construction began on the current Reiman Gardens in 1994, which included transplanting many collections from the old horticultural gardens to the new Reiman Gardens. The current Gardens was officially dedicated on September 16, 1995.
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At its opening, Reiman Gardens covered just five acres, which included the entry court, the Herb Garden, Rose Garden, the Campanile Garden, Mahlstede Horticulture Learning Center and a Maintenance Building. In 1998 ground was broken for the Children’s Garden, followed by the Town and Country Garden and Lake Helen. The Gardens continued to grow and evolve over the next ten years to cover 17-acres. The Conservatory Complex and Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing opened in November 2002. The Hillside Water-wise Garden and recently completed Sycamore Falls are the latest additions to the Gardens. Rodney Robinson Landscape Architects, a landscape architecture firm in Wilmington, DE, designed the Gardens. Robinson was selected because of his experience at other public gardens like Longwood Gardens and the Washington Mall. Iowa State University faculty and staff were also active in the development of the Gardens’ master and planting plans. Daryl Metzger, of Architects Smith Metzger in Des Moines, designed the buildings within the Gardens. The architecture reflects the Prairie School made famous by Frank Lloyd Wright. The last 25 years would not have been possible without the generous and ongoing support of the Gardens' namesake and chief benefactors, Roy and Bobbi Reiman. With eternal gratitude for them and all of our wonderful donors, we look forward with excitement to the next 25 years. "Both my wife Bobbi and I were pleased and fascinated by these Gardens’ potential from the very beginning, but we had no idea they’d eventually become a 17-acre site that’s become an Iowa “must-see” tourist attraction and an exceptional resource for all ISU students." – Roy Reiman
“Outstanding communities are known for amenities that enrich residents’ and visitors’ quality and enjoyment of life. In Ames, Reiman Gardens is one of our noteworthy destinations. The beautiful year-round landscaping and flora, Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing and the event and meeting facilities are just some of the features Reiman Gardens offers that contribute to the enhancement of Ames residents’ and visitors’ experience and lives.” – John Haila, Mayor of the City of Ames “The Gardens have been a great resource for CIGRS. We believe this is the kind of relationship that brings great things to the Iowa State University community, as well as the city of Ames and the state of Iowa. We are most grateful to the Gardens for these opportunities and look forward to continuing our relationship in the years to come.” – John Olsen, member of the Central Iowa Garden Railroad Society (CIGRS) “My biggest takeaway from my internship was developing a better understanding of the many intricate pieces that come together to make a place like Reiman Gardens function. Any time I visit a public garden or similar place, I have a deeper appreciation for all of the behind-the-scenes work that goes into it. I strongly believe that many of the skills and experiences I gained while an intern at Reiman Gardens have helped me become a more confident and well-rounded educator. Thank you so much to the Reimans for making this place possible." – Clara Kittleson, 2017 Reiman Gardens education intern “I have been a docent in the Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing for the past 10 years. During that time, everyone I have met has enjoyed their visit and been impressed by the variety and beauty of the many different species of butterflies on display. The wing is an oasis of tranquility, and the Gardens are a wonderful asset to the community, attracting many visitors from other locations. Ongoing additions to the Gardens will enhance their appeal even further.” – Ken Kirkland, who volunteered more than 200 hours in 2019
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memories
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Future site of "The Reiman Garden." Roy and Bobbie Reiman generously donated $1.3 million to begin phase one of the project.
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Reiman Gardens now serves as a gateway to Iowa State University and the City of Ames. Aerial photo taken in 2006.
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Construction begins in 1994 on the current site south of ISU's football stadium.
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Construction of Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing in 2001. The wing opened in 2002.
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Private donations are an important source of funding for Reiman Gardens. The Grand Affair in 2007 was an event to celebrate the Gardens and raise money to support it.
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First introduction of butterflies to the Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing.
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Installation of visitor favorite Elwood, the World’s Tallest Concrete Gnome, in 2010.
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Dedication of the Children's Garden in 1999.
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“Metaphonic Pod" was part of our popular treehouse exhibit in 2015.
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Reiman Gardens has been voted the best place in Story County for weddings every year since 2016.
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Beautiful orchids from our annual display in the Hughes Conservatory.
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The Reiman Garden CoHorts in 2005.
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In 1994/1995, the Gardens installed its own version of ISU's iconic campanile sculpture in the Margaret E. Penkhus Campanile Garden.
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Brightly decorated Events Hallway during our 2017 Petals and Parasols Conservatory display.
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The RG Express Holiday Train Display opens for the first time in 2015.
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Brillant fall color in the Naturalists' Garden.
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Springtime tulip display in the Herb Garden.
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reiman gardens timeline 1914 The art of gardening and the science of horticulture met in the original Iowa State University horticulture garden located just north of the Farm House. The Horticulture Department had oversight of the garden.
1938 Iowa State University Horticulture Gardens earns the distinction of maintaining an All America Rose Selection (AARS) Public Garden.
1964-1975 The Reiman Gardens site is used as a grain storage facility and contains swine, cattle and sheep pens, plus a grain mixing facility.
1975-1992
1964
Jack Trice Stadium is constructed in 1975, and the current Reiman Gardens site is used as the soil borrow area for construction of the stadium. Until 1992, the site is a prime parking spot on football game days.
The Horticulture Gardens move near the ISU physical plant.
2014
2021
Sycamore Falls opens to the public in early summer 2021.
2017
Hillside Water-wise Garden opens.
Reiman Gardens completes its first strategic plan, which includes its mission, vision and values, as well as longterm goals and the action steps to reach them.
2016 Reiman Gardens finishes its next 20-year master site plan, which was developed by staff and stakeholders with the goal of making the Gardens a stronger destination beyond central Iowa.
2008
Renovations to the Conservatory Complex are completed to help Reiman Gardens be more selfsustaining
2002
Reiman Gardens’ Conservatory and Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing are opened to the public.
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1992 Formal announcement of a major gift of $1.3 million from Roy and Bobbi Reiman. It is used to construct the first four acres of Reiman Gardens’ Master Plan. Total project cost is $2 million. It is a match of the Reimans‘ desire to better landscape the Iowa State Center complex and President Jischke’s vision to move the horticulture gardens to a more accessible and visible location.
1993-1994 Reiman Gardens’ master plan is created. The proposed site is a 14-acre tract along Elwood Drive, a major entryway to ISU and the City of Ames. The original plan includes a conservatory, outdoor amphitheater, several distinct gardens and water features. Groundbreaking takes place in October of 1993 with construction beginning in 1994.
2000 Lake Helen is constructed as a gift-in-kind to the Gardens from Country Landscapes. Work also begins on the Town & Country Garden and the Stafford Arboretum Garden.
1999 Dedication of the Children’s Garden takes place.
1995 ( june) The Reiman Gardens CoHorts are formed. They are a volunteer support group that assists with tours, horticulture, fundraising and visitor enjoyment of the Gardens.
Early in the design process it is decided that Reiman Gardens should celebrate the natural and botanic diversity of Iowa and draw inspiration from its agricultural traditions. Rodney Robinson Landscape Architects and Architect Smith Metzger are selected to design the gardens and the buildings contained within.
1995 Led by Dwight Hughes, Jr., fundraising efforts begin and are successful in naming the Mahlstede Horticulture Learning Center after former Horticulture Department Chair John P. Mahlstede
1995
(September) The first four acres of Reiman Gardens are dedicated.
1995 (august) An architecturally inspired re-creation of the ISU campus Campanile is designed and installed in the eastern edge of the Gardens. It is equipped with an electronic replica of the bells of the campanile and plays music daily.
1407 UNIVERSITY BLVD AMES, IA 50011 reimangardens@iastate.edu 515-294-2710 www.reimangardens.com
Reiman Gardens’ Mission “Educate, enchant and inspire an appreciation of plants, butterflies and the beauty of the natural world”