About the Robert W. Monk Gardens
Timeline and Board of Directors
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)