By By JAMES COLLINS / Niles Daily Star
NILES -- Fernwood Botanical Gardens and Nature Center will be celebrating its history of being a center for natural beauty and public education with a 40th birthday celebration kicking off today and going through the weekend.
Fernwood, which is located at 13988 Range Line Road in Niles along the banks of the St. Joseph River, encompasses more than 100 acres of diverse ecosystems. About half of the land is made up of natural environments like wet and dry forests, prairies and wetlands. The other half is cultivated lands made up of the arboretum and gardens.
Fernwood Director Peter van der Linden said it is important to have a beautiful, natural place like Fernwood, where the community can fully experience nature.
In addition to being a beautiful place to visit, the nature center also provides an extensive educational outreach program. Last year, Fernwood offered 301 programs that served more than 7,500 people, mainly children.
Van der Linden said the educational arm of Fernwood allows people to better appreciate the environment around them.
While the nature preserve was officially established in 1964, its founders Kay and Walter Boydston fell in love with the property in their first visit in 1938.
For three years the couple visited the land then called Janeida every chance they got.
They went on to buy 16 acres of the land that is now Fernwood, where they lived for more than 20 years.
On a retirement income in 1964, the Boydstons were faced with the challenge of caring for the land.
They were introduced to local civic leaders and philanthropists Lawrence and Mary Plym by friends who wanted to see the property continue as preserved piece of land.
The Plyms bought the property on Aug. 1, 1964 and it soon became Fernwood, Incorporated.
Kay Boydston was named director of the public garden and nature preserve, which soon began to expand in size and scope.
In 1964, Fernwood had 16 acres, 285 charter members, Boydston was the only staff member and there was a 50 cent admission for non-members.
Today, Fernwood is made up of 105 acres, 2,500 members, 25 employees and there is an adult admission of $5 for non-members.
The birthday celebration begins this evening with a reception at 6:30 p.m. featuring guest speaker Carolyn Harstad, author of "Got Shade? A Take it Easy Approach for Today's Gardener," in the Clark Galley. Tickets are $25 per person.
The 40th Anniversary Symposium, "Celebrating 40 Years of Nature and Gardening," will take place on Friday in the Clark Gallery from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. The program includes a talk from Peg Kohring, Midwest Director for the Conservation Fund, on "Fernwood's Legacy of Land Conservation," a presentation from Iowa horticulturalist Gary Whittenbaugh on "Trough Gardening" and Harstad will give a speech titled "Why Use Native Plants in the Landscape?" The fee is $30 per person.
On Saturday, Fernwood will officially celebrate its birthday from noon to 5 p.m. with a party featuring birthday cake, children activities and clowns. There will be puppet shows at 1 and 3 p.m. and a performance from All God's Children Community Choir at 2 p.m. Admission is free to all who wish to attend on Saturday.
The birthday party will conclude on Sunday with an invitation only reunion brunch at 10:30 a.m. for former directors, staff and other guests.