Timeline

• May 2001 Robert W. Monk III initiated conversations with the University of Wisconsin- Marathon County about his interest in donating land on the north west side of Wausau for the purpose of establishing a botanical garden.
  
• 2001 - 2003 Focus group and public meetings held with various audiences to determine interest for establishing a botanical garden.
  
• Fall 2001 Friends group established. Friends begin taking field trips to other botanical gardens in the state to gain ideas
  
• Fall 2002 Glenn Spevacek, former director of the Green Bay Botanical Garden, hired as a consultant for the development of the Robert W. Monk Gardens
  
• Jan. 2003 Foundation of UWMC with the leadership of Campus Dean James Veninga secures a grant from the Alexander Foundation to conduct an environmental assessment on the property.
  
• Jan. 2003 UWMC Foundation awarded a WI Dept. of Natural Resources Urban Forestry Grant for 2004.
  
• Jan. 2003 Darla Zastrow is named the project director.
  
• Mar. 2003 REI conducts environmental assessment of the property
  
• Aug. 2003 Articles of Incorporation for the Robert W. Monk Gardens, Inc. are filed
  
• Oct. 2003 Board of directors has first meeting and elects officers and adopts By Laws
  
• Spring 2004 Community Foundation grant of $3,000 secured toward Master Plan
  
• Summer 2004 Board solicits bids for Master Plan. 501(c)(3) status with IRS received
  
• Oct. 2004 Marshall, Tyler, Rausch, LLC design firm selected to do Master Plan and business plan for the garden
  
• Nov. 29-Dec. 3, 2004 Charette conducted as beginning of the Master Plan process
  
• Dec. 2, 2004 Donations and pledges secured to match DNR Urban Forestry Grant
  
• Dec. 2004 Board of Directors adopted MTR's concept for the garden development
  
• Dec. 29, 2004 Mr. Monk deeds 21.4916 acres of land to the Robert W. Monk Gardens, Inc.
  
• Feb. 2005 Master Plan Phase 1 and business plan finalized

Board of Directors

Officers:
• President - Wayne Geurink (UWMC Alumna, retired - Wausau Insurance Companies)
  
• Vice President - Hooshang Zeyghami (Central Wisconsin Engineers, UWMC Foundation)
  
• Secretary - Dr. Paul Whitaker (UWMC Biology Department)
  
• Treasurer - Vickie Richmond-Hawkins (UWMC Continuing Education Department)
  Members:
• Rita Crooks (UWMC Alumna, artist),
• Susan Ford-Hoffert (Wausau Benefits),
• Deborah Hale (UWMC alumna, Real Estate),
• Nancy Hessert (UWMC Foreign Languages Department),
• Anne Kieffer (Horticulturalist, D.C. Everest School District),
• Stephen Roberts (Aspirus, Wausau Hospital),
• Dr. Frank Rubino (Aspirus, Family Health Specialists),
• Paul Jones (LandArt, Inc.),
• Jennifer Bachman (Student & writer),
• Todd Geurink (Tranquil Settings),
• Thomas Batterman (Virgil Trust & Financial Advocacy),
• Ann Meyer (Master Gardeners),
• Lori Weyers (President, Northcentral Technical College)
• Robert W. Monk III (Ex Officio)

• Staff: Darla Zastrow (UWMC Biology Department)- Chair of Friends Group
• Advisor: Jim Veninga (UWMC Dean)