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Rae Selling Berry cultivated her private garden in the residential Dunthorpe neighborhood for nearly 40 years, and when she died in 1976 the fate of her garden was up in the air. Fortunately, people who understood the value of her creation organized themselves quickly to mount a campaign to purchase the property and establish a nonprofit corporation to operate it. In 1978 the garden was opened to members and to the public, by appointment. From that time until 2009 the organization's leaders pursued many strategies to bring new members and visitors to the hard-to-find location, and to raise sufficient financial support for its operation. However, membership enrollment declined steadily over the past decade, and in 2009 the board of directors decided it was necessary to close the garden and to find partners within the community who could carry forward some aspects of The Berry Botanic Garden's mission of horticulture, conservation and education.

Now the garden is up for sale, but Mrs. Berry's legacy as a plant collector and student of horticulture will continue. Portland is home to many public gardens -Leach Botanical Garden, Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden, Hoyt Arboretum, Lan Su Chinese Garden and the Japanese Garden to name a few. These gardens give testimony to the love of plants that inspires so many Portlanders. Furthermore, Mrs. Berry's legacy will be carried forward in perpetuity through the Rae Selling Berry Seed Bank for Rare and Endangered Plants at Portland State University, scheduled to open in 2011.

What decisions have been made about the Garden's future?

At the end of 2009 the board of directors made the difficult decision to begin winding down operations at the Garden. Assets from the garden are being disbursed and the Garden's property is for sale. The Conservation Program will be moved to Portland State University and will continue to operate the Rae Selling Berry Seed Bank for Rare and Endangered Plants.

Why was this decided?

The downturn of the economy in 2008 - 2009 prompted the board of directors to take a hard look at the Garden's finances and operations. The Garden's secluded location, limited parking, land-use restrictions that prohibit revenue-generating activities, and declining membership-all have contributed to a persistent gap between revenues and expenses. 2009 was spent looking at every possible option for running the Garden, but no plan was financially viable. Given the current economic climate and the decline in the organization's assets, the board decided that the property must be sold so that the assets can be re-directed to a new expression of the core values that have guided The Berry Botanic Garden.

Who did the board talk with before making this decision?

During 2009 the board of directors met with 30 representatives in Portland's conservation and gardening network from higher education, government, nonprofit organizations, seeking a new way to continue operation of the Garden. None of these discussions resulted in a viable plan for continuing the operation of the Garden.

How will the assets from the sale be used?

The proceeds from the sale of the property will be used to create a new home for the conservation program and Berry seed bank at Portland State University. Proceeds from the sale will fund endowments that will secure the continuation of the conservation work we currently do here. PSU has the leadership, academic quality, institutional vision and commitment necessary to strengthen the conservation program and honor the legacy of Mrs. Berry.

Will the Garden be open to members and visitors?

No. The Garden closed to members and visitors on October 2, 2010.

What will happen to the valuable plants?

A Property Disposition Steering Committee, comprised of board and staff, created a detailed transition plan for all of the organization's assets, including its plants. Some of the valuable plants that could be transplanted were moved to other public gardens such as the Leach Botanical Garden, Chrystal Springs Rhododendron Garden, and Hoyt Arboretum.

Will classes be offered at the Garden this year?

No.

Will members be sent renewal notices this year?

No. All members who paid dues in June 2009 or later will remain current members throughout 2010 or until further notice.

Who should I contact with the remaining questions I have?

You may call The Berry Botanic Garden to speak to Kris Freitag, Membership Services at (503) 636-4112 x 102, or to Margaret Eickmann, Interim Executive Director, x 101.