Do trees talk? Trees do not seem to “talk” as we know it, by sending specific sound waves into the air. But scientists are convinced that trees communicate through a system of underground connections that rely upon fungi. Scientists say that these connections can influence how trees grow and whether they defend themselves from disease.…
What a crazy year! Now I know 2020 is not over yet, but for me, I began my first year as Volunteer Coordinator for Mission Streets Parks Conservancy (MSPC) in September 2019. And here it is September 2020. When I joined the Tuesday Gardeners in June of 2019, I didn’t realize that by September, Michael…
You may have seen Chet Zenone if you have been in Bush’s Pasture Park on a Tuesday morning. Chet’s the guy with the glasses, making jokes, and chatting with his fellow Tuesday gardeners. He’ll help anywhere, but woodworking projects are his passion. He has volunteered at the park for about five years. Chet and his…
Jim Schomaker gives us a visual tour of Bush’s Pasture Park at its spring peak in this special photo album. He captures lush scenics from the Rhododendron Hillside and around the Bush House Museum and Conservatory. While there’s always something in bloom throughout the year, spring is the park’s standout season. Jim’s photographs show you…
The recent CARES Act, passed to provide relief during the coronavirus outbreak, changes the way charitable deductions will work during the 2020 tax year: Taxpayers who do not itemize deductions when filing will be able to deduct charitable contributions of up to $300 when calculating their adjusted gross income. Taxpayers who do itemize deductions will be…
The Statesmen-Journal reported today that the Salem Art Fair has made changes to better protect the Oregon white oaks during the event. Reporter Stacy Loew writes: “The Salem Art Association has put on the annual three-day festival for seven decades, growing it from a handful of local artists near the Bush Barn Art Center, to…
Michael Slater stepped down as MSPC president on March 31st. The board elected Christine Chute as the new president. Michael served as MSPC’s first president and managed the Conservancy’s day-to-day work for the past 30 months. During his term, the organization evolved from the Friends of Bush Gardens to the Mission Street Parks Conservancy, installed…
Thanks to the generosity of MSPC members, we were able to contribute 17 new and carefully selected ornamental trees to Bush’s Pasture Park, including: Acer palmatum ‘Green Cascade’ Acer palmatum ‘Aconitofolium’ Acer palmatum ‘Fascination’ Cornus mas ‘Golden Glory’ by Mark and Sharon Krimmel Gleditsia triacanthos f. inermis ‘Skyline,’ by Wally and Carlene Benson on behalf…
The Marion Cultural Development Corporation provided $1,100 to the Conservancy for a project to label the landscape beds in the park’s northwest corner. That area of the park has 50 distinct landscape beds but the beds have never been interpreted for the public. On completion of the project, each bed will have a post with…
Today brings to a close the 2019 gardening season for Mission Street Parks Conservancy. Our hardy, talented and good looking band of volunteer gardeners contributed 1,545 hours to the care of the park’s 50 plus landscape beds and greenhouse plants. Over the course of this year, they planted over 100 trees and shrubs, hundred of…