In need of NOURISHMENT
Yuma Conservation Garden holds fundraiser, seeks aid
Known to many as the “duck pond” near the Yuma County Fairgrounds, the Yuma Conservation Garden provides a little oasis along the highway and is currently reaching out to the community for funds.
The YCG is holding a raffle to raise money for educational visits by schools and other youth groups as well as other necessities in maintaining the garden, said Carson Snow, the garden’s part-time employee.
Each ticket will be given for a $10 donation. Sheryl Christenson, who worked as a part-time employee at YCG for about 15 years and who has served on the garden’s board for about 20 years, said that in total, YCG hopes to collect $5,000 with the fundraiser and has received $2,000 so far. If YCG sells all raffle tickets, a total of 600 would be sold.
The prize for the raffle is a Beretta A300 12 Gauge Semi-Auto Shotgun or a Sprague’s Gift Certificate. Only one ticket will be drawn at the event Aug. 25 at Sprague’s Sporting Goods, 345 W. 32nd St.
Should all tickets be sold before the Aug. 25 date, the drawing will be held beforehand. Those who purchase tickets need not be present to win.
To purchase tickets or for more information on donating, call (928) 317-1935.
YCG, a botanical garden and a natural habitat, was donated to Yuma County at the fairgrounds by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management in the early 1950s, according to the YCG History webpage.
Presently, the area where the garden is located is managed by the Yuma County Fair Board. In 1989,
members of the Yuma and Laguna Natural Resource Conservation Districts (NRCD’s) asked the Fair Board for permission to utilize the duck pond area of the grounds as a botanical garden and outdoor learning center, the YCG History webpage showed.
At the start of 2001 the YCG received its 501 (c) (3) nonprofit status. A conservation work in progress, YCG is home to rare plants. Sam Dick, one of the garden’s founders, originally collected Sonoran Desert trees, shrubs, cacti, animals, birds, antique farm equipment, picnic areas, a sun dial that was part of a past Eagle Scout project and more.
Snow added there are between 30 to 40 ducks at the garden as well as a tortoise and lizards. Occasionally, he said seasonal wild foxes and coyotes will pay the garden a visit.
He noted the garden also helps “educate the public” and “preserve wildlife for future generations to enjoy.”
The garden also serves to promote responsible stewardship of natural resources. A series of trails, demonstration areas as well as lesson plans to utilize the natural setting for education and special events haves been created by the board of directors made up of NRCD’s, the Fair Board and community members.
Chirstenson noted that the garden is home to native plants and offers educational experiences to children.
“We provide the handson learning out there at the garden at that beautiful Sonoran Desert landscape to children at no charge,” she said.
YCG is part of an Arizona-wide network of education centers administered by the State Land Department and recognized by the Department of Game and Fish as a natural habitat.
YCG is open to the public from the first of November through the first of May every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and every Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.
Groups may call the YCG phone number to arrange for entry during most other times of the year.
“We run the garden with one part time employee: Carson,” Christenson said. “We receive $10,000 from our sponsoring Natural Resource Conservation Districts, Laguna NRCD and Yuma NRCD. The Environmental (license) plate fund provides the monies. Please think of us the next time you purchase a special plate for your automobile.”
Donations can also be made to YCG through the Arizona Community Foundation of Yuma. For more information visit www.azfoundation.org/GiveWhereYouLive/Yuma/azfoundation.org/GiveWhereYouLive/Yuma/Funds.aspx#1072491-designated-funds. YCG is listed under “Designated Funds.”
Along with donations, Snow noted YCG is in need of volunteers.
For more information on YCG, visit www.yumaconservationgarden.org or email conservationgarden@gmail.com. YCG also has a Facebook page, www.facebook.com/Yuma-Conservation-Garden-115483155145207/.
The garden is located at 2520 E. 32nd Street.