April 18, 2025 Dear ::subscriber.first_name::,
This month, we commence celebration of Boxerwood’s 25th year as an ever-resilient grassroots non-profit organization dedicated to care of the natural world and one another. It’s an amazing story of vision, creativity, serendipity – and persistence. This is a story worth sharing, especially in tough times. Look for some new features in our NewsLeaf over the next months, plus special garden happenings. Meanwhile, read on for some much-needed good cheer. Yours for a thriving Earth, The Boxerwood Team
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Nevertheless We Persisted! |
There are as many ways to tell the story of our non-profit as there are leaves in the woodland garden, but this month, we’re celebrating persistence. Who would have imagined a small once-private garden would one day bear fruit beyond measure? Begun with heart, vision, and a (still-existing) mortgage, Boxerwood Education Association (BEA) incorporated in 2000 as a non-profit dedicated to earth care. The early years focused on root issues: refining the mission, hiring staff, recruiting volunteers and partners. Challenges abounded, yet also miracles. |
For 25 years, BEA has pursued a mission “to educate and inspire people of all ages to become environmentally successful stewards of the Earth.” Today we carry out this work through three main pathways: 1) maintaining a free-to-the-public 15-acre woodland garden for learning and recreation, 2) providing award-winning nature-based programming for hundreds of preK-12 classrooms annually, and 3) connecting people of all ages with community-based earth action. Our work is flourishing: in the past six weeks alone, BEA educated and inspired more than 2,265 people in direct earth stewardship. Click below for our March-April photos: Can you spot the BEA mission in each? |
Has Boxerwood Touched Your Life? |
Perhaps it was the moment your child's eyes lit up discovering a salamander beneath a log. Maybe it was a peaceful afternoon spent wandering in the woodland garden. Or possibly it was during Music in the Garden when you connected with neighbors under the shade of our trees. For 25 years, Boxerwood has been creating these meaningful moments—not just for our community, but for you. As we celebrate this milestone anniversary, we're reaching out to those who have made Boxerwood special: people like you whose connection to Boxerwood matters deeply. |
Yesterday [Saturday, April 12], I visited the [Celebrate Trees!] event, and it was truly Boxerwood at its best. As I approached the area, I heard what I thought was dulcimer music, and I was correct. So perfect for the celebration. All over the area were kids enthusiastically creating watercolor paintings, planting seeds, and just enjoying being kids outdoors. I witnessed Karen [Stanley] carefully demonstrating how to plant a tree and explaining what the tree will need to survive. It was a perfect example of providing the environment, and people will thrive. All in honor of The Great Oak. Well done BW staff. – Tamara Teaff, Boxerwood board member
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Want to learn more about Boxerwood – and share our stories with others? We’re recruiting a cohort of Boxerwood Ambassadors who can help represent Boxerwood at the garden kiosk and/or at community events. Whether as Garden Greeters or a Tabletop Host, no fancy knowledge is needed, just a good heart. You can sign up for a 2-hour seated shift that works for you, and bring along a friend if you like. Volunteer perks include occasional special tours and meet-ups with other Ambassadors at Boxerwood, as well as five passes to use or share for Music in the Garden. Our next training is Saturday, May 3, 10:00-11:00am at the Boxerwood Lodge. |
“Heart of Boxerwood” is a visual love letter from myself to Boxerwood…and a thank you note for all the gifts it gave me and my family. The artwork pays homage to the late Dr. Robert S. Munger, who was responsible for the creation and development of the beloved woodland garden. – Artist Statement by Mariam Todd 50% of all sales (including cards) will be donated to Boxerwood Education Association.
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Walk for World Peace
May 3, 1:00-2:00pm |
The walk at Boxerwood is one of hundreds that will take place at 1:00pm local time across the globe on Saturday, May 3, thus creating “a rolling wave of energies for peace.” Like last year (see photo above), elementary children from Earthsong Montessori will work with our partner, the Rockbridge Labyrinth Guild, to set up the labyrinth path using gathered natural materials. Starting promptly at 1:00pm, the event will be held rain or shine and will last about an hour. Chairs will be available for those who prefer a seated meditative experience. Everyone welcome; no charge. |
Honoring Mother Earth & More
May 11, 2:00-4:00pm |
In the spirit of our 25th year, we’re reviving a beloved Boxerwood tradition! Join us in honoring nature’s bounty – and mothers of all kinds – on Mother’s Day, May 11, from 2:00-4:00pm. The garden will be in its spring loveliest, a fine time to meander and reconnect with the source of it all. For those inclined, we’ll have a few activities on hand: a creation station, some scavenger hunts, and an opportunity to pot up a native tree seedling for our nursery or your home. Parking is up top by the Play Trail, with overflow in the field off Munger Lane. Donations welcome. Fair weather event only. |
BOXERWOOD RISING:
Meet Sophie Dryden, conservation biologist |
Throughout our 25th year, we’ll be sharing stories of young people whose Boxerwood experiences shaped their passions and vocations. Have a young friend to recommend? Contact Catherine Epstein, creator of this series: catherine@boxerwood.org Growing up in Buena Vista, Sophie Dryden – PMHS class of 2019 – remembers Boxerwood field programs as essential to shaping her passion for science. In a recent interview, she vividly remembers an interactive lesson with Boxerwood’s 6-foot customized watershed board, part of our standard 4th grade curriculum. Sophie recalls watching Boxerwood educators add pollutants to the board’s terrain, then noticing the impact on streams and rivers during simulated rain: “I remember watching the water run all the way to the Chesapeake Bay, and I was like, ‘From here to Virginia Beach?’”
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PARTNER IN THE PICTURE: Charles Barger & Son |
This local quarry supplies the rock that literally builds our community. Did you know this family-owned business has also helped create strong foundations for BEA? During our early years, Charles Barger & Son underwrote all program costs for providing Boxerwood field programs for children from Central Elementary – and there were hundreds of them! In the past few years, the business has resumed that generous underwriting while also providing quarry tours for the CES 5th graders. Most recently, Mr. Barger and his wife Susan have invited Boxerwood educators to utilize their farm property – walkable from Maury River Middle School – as the weekly site of our EarthKeepers Club and conservation actions. From material needs to educational underwriting, we honor a long and rock-solid partnership. Thank you, Charles Barger & Son! |
Boxerwood Education Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Federal Tax ID: 54-1937944 |
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