newsleaf
archives: 2021 posts
december 2021
Athletes GEAR Up and Give Back
Other Stories
December 20, 2021
Growing Future FOrests Together
Over thirty Boxerwood-recruited volunteers who collectively (and joyfully!) planted 325 native trees over two Saturdays this month. Read More >>>
December 20, 2021
Children’s Bird Club Takes Flight
You’re never too young to enjoy birds and help them thrive. In tandem with the Rockbridge Bird Club, we launched an 8-week Bird Club this fall with a dozen eager children from Central Elementary School. Read More >>>
December 20, 2021
Middle School Students Tackle Food Waste
This fall two Boxerwood educators have been exploring this question with students enrolled at a 7th grade garden ecology class at Read More >>>
December 20, 2021
partners in the picture: The Charske Fund
Earlier this year Boxerwood was grateful to receive a $4,500 grant from the RUW Charske Fund to help us meet an urgent but not glamorous need. Read More >>>
november 2021
Letter from the Education Director
Other Stories
November 23, 2021
Moveable forest
If you’ve wandered around Boxerwood this fall, you might have noticed our tree nursery bursting with life. The nursery was recently home to more than 250 native tree seedlings Read More >>>
November 23, 2021
Learning is for Everyone!
Some families wondered whether dissolved oxygen levels would be greater near the shore or in the center of the lake; others wondered about changes in pH, or how temperature changes with lake depth. Read More >>>
November 23, 2021
blooming where we’re planted
Boxerwood programs take place locally, but the bounty of what we reap and learn keeps finding its way into the wider world. Read More >>>
November 23, 2021
partner in the picture: great valley farm brewery
Partners sustain the Boxerwood heart-beat throughout the community. A more recent partner in that vital work is Great Valley Farm Brewery, located just off Route 11 on the way to Natural Bridge. Read More >>>
october 2021
From Our Executive Director
Other Stories
October 23, 2021
We’re Expanding!
Four additional part-time instructors joined the Boxerwood crew this fall. We are thrilled by the energy, talent, and heart our new colleagues are bringing to their work. Read More >>>
October 23, 2021
A Week of Programs: A Dozen Snapshots
Many folks contributed to our successful educational appeal so we thought you’d like to see what’s happening with your heart-felt investments. Read More >>>
October 23, 2021
the giving tree
When a tremendous limb of the Great Oak came down in July, we mourned losing a piece of this wonderful tree. And then we got to work. First, we consulted with several local arborists and determined the rest of the tree to be in good shape. Read More >>>
October 23, 2021
Partner in the Picture: The James River Association
Boxerwood has been good friends with JRA for many years. We share interests in caring for Rockbridge waterways via education and action. Read More >>>
august 2021
2021 Music in the Garden Season Extended
Other Stories
August 27, 2021
The Great Oak Transitions Again
If only the Great Oak could talk, what stories it would tell! This Shumard oak (Quercus shumardii) has been around for at least a century. Although one of its large limbs came down in a storm on July 17th, 2021, it still stands tall and continues to grow. Read More >>>
may 2021
Family Learning, Outdoors!
Other Stories
May 13, 2021
Spring PALS Befriend Birds
Our all-volunteer board of directors carry the ultimate responsibility for ensuring the Boxerwood ship sails. They approve plans, review the books, set the policies, run committees, and more. Read More >>>
May 13, 2021
The Boxerwood Nursery Fills Up
This month Boxerwood opened its nursery to 300+ babies — not human babies, but native trees. The tiny oaks, maples, sycamores, and dogwoods arrived over a 10-day period, unloaded by the van-full by our Boxerwood educators after trips to local schools. Read More >>>
May 13, 2021
Music in the Garden Back for 2021
Though we missed some of our popular events and attractions in 2020, Boxerwood is pleased to return to our summer Music in the Garden series. Local and regional bands will perform twice a month from June through August. Read More >>>
May 13, 2021
Virginia Tax Credits for BEF — First Come, First Served
Thanks to the Neighborhood Assistance Program, a state incentive program in which BEF participates, eligible donations made to BEF by June 30, 2021 could enable you to receive Virginia state tax credits valued up to 65% (!!!) of your qualifying donation. Read More >>>
May 13, 2021
PARTNERS in The Picture: Rockbridge Community Health Foundation and Carilion Rockbridge Community Hospital
Boxerwood recently received a bold and inspiring gift from the Rockbridge Community Health Foundation (RCHF) and Carilion Rockbridge Community Hospital (CRCH): an award of $32,000 for programs that serve youth and by extension, their families. Read More >>>
april 2021
Meet the Directors
Other Stories
April 15, 2021
Sharing Our Story
Blue Ridge PBS recently filmed a feature for its “Virginia Home Grown” series. Boxerwood’s own Jess Sullivan and Ben Eland both showcased the gardens and its delights and the many programs Boxerwood offers. Read More >>>
April 15, 2021
Boxerwood Goes to College
Most folks know that Boxerwood promotes environmental learning and action with school children. But we also have strategies for doing the same with local college students and this year those opportunities are flourishing. Read More >>>
April 15, 2021
Become a Kiosk Ambassador
Promoting earth stewardship can start with a smile: is that you? A Boxerwood Ambassador is a volunteer greeter who interacts with visitors as they arrive at Boxerwood. Read More >>>
April 15, 2021
Partner in the Picture: The Rockbridge YMCA
“Where there’s a will there’s a way” might best describe Boxerwood’s ongoing partnership with the Rockridge Area YMCA. That partnership was forged several years ago as our two organizations realized a common passion: youth development. Read More >>>
march 2021
March NEWSLEAF: Endings and Beginnings
Other Stories
March 17, 2021
A Tribute to Michael Yoemans (1949-2021)
Mike was wisdom. He knew when to dig into details and when to strive for simplicity; When to drive change and when to hold the boat steady; When to listen and when to lead. Read More >>>
March 17, 2021
From the Garden: Farewell Fossil Fuels. Hello Bright Future.
Boxerwood has always relied on energy generated from fossil fuels for heat, power, and light, but no longer. We have reached the end of that era. We’ve found our green path. Read More >>>
March 17, 2021
From Our Programs: It’s Spring: We’re Ready
Safely vaccinated, we’re returning this month to the field to meet children’s needs in alternate ways, through a variety of covid-safe programs. Read More >>>
March 17, 2021
From Waste to Wonder
The Great Backyard Composting Challenge is off and running. More than 100 households registered interest in this citizen-science project Read More >>>
March 17, 2021
Partner in the Picture: The Meadow
Boxerwood Education Association (BEA) and The Meadow are distinct organizations, but they arose from the same heart. That heart and vision belongs to Hunter Mohring and Karen Bailey (KB). Read More >>>
february 2021
From the Executive Director
Other Stories
February 19, 2021
Boxerwood Goes Solar
A long-term dream is now a reality: Boxerwood has just installed an 11.05 kW solar array, which will supply all of our electricity needs for the Lodge. Read More >>>
February 19, 2021
The Great Backyard Compost Challenge
This new project runs mid-March to early June 2021. Interested in being one of the participating households? Read More >>>
February 19, 2021
Outdoor Play and Learning Season – PALS Spring 2021
Boxerwood is planning a new season for our children’s pandemic-response program, PALS. The springtime Play and Learning Season (PALS) will again be limited to 12 children Read More >>>
February 19, 2021
Partner in the Picture: Walkabout & MEDIC Solo
Our friends from Walkabout Outfitters and MEDIC Solo Disaster & Wilderness Medicine School are again hosting a Disaster / Travel / Wilderness First Aid certification course at Boxerwood. Read More >>>