As the December days become shorter and shorter, the architecture of Western Hills emerges. This year’s early rainstorms brought full runnels and rushing waterfalls. Quilts of yellow leaves and bald cypress needles blanketed the paths. And the shapes of the vistas shifted, opening up new viewpoints through empty tree branches.

This quiet time of reflection, release, and preparation for winter is short-lived in California. The signs of the next cycle are already upon us. The camellia bloom came early and the rhododendron and magnolia buds are preparing to burst. The catkins (the long-dropping male flowers of certain trees) are emerging, releasing pollen which will fertilize female flowers and provide an early source of food for insects. This natural cycle is a soothing and obvious metaphor for the personal shifts we all feel this time of year.

We hope you are able to take time to contemplate this past year and set intentions for what’s ahead as we cautiously welcome 2025.

The year in review.

2024 was an eight year. For those who believe in numerology, eight is associated with power, growth, and prosperity. We saw each of these traits manifest in different ways at Western Hills as we transitioned into our fourth year of ownership this past fall.

• Our team grew with the hiring of our first full-time employee, our Horticultural Manager Justine Berthiaume, along with new volunteers Adina, Maïa, Angel, and Jody.

• Over 1,000 people came to explore, learn, and connect more deeply with this land, themselves, and one another through day visits, tours, and classes.

• Eleven teaching artists shared their talents and skills, leading workshops ranging from cyanotype to journaling, forest bathing to pine needle basket making, and flower crown creation to mark making with natural objects.

• We hosted four contemplative, community celebrations aligned with the seasonal shifts, in collaboration with our friends at Morihouse who shared their soulful food and grounded presence with guests.

• Several artists, including Emily Payne, Jessica Williams, and Dashka Slater, enjoyed short-term stays in the Octagon to work on personal projects that resulted in solo art shows, new book proposals, and drafts of works in progress.

• New partnerships with other nonprofits, donors, and community groups generated opportunities for community engagement and garden management.

• We improved the paths, pruned the shrubs and trees, weeded the beds, and attended to the collection through sunshine and storms.

• We met many new friends who shared their ideas, networks, and resources.

It was a year full of gifts and challenges, and we are grateful for all of it. As we look ahead to 2025 on the eve of December’s black moon - the second new moon of the month - we see future possibilities emerge. It is also a fitting time to renew our commitment to steward this legacy botanical refuge and to share it with others.

What’s ahead?

We’re rebuilding our mental, physical, and financial reserves as we look ahead to 2025. We are keeping our hearts and minds open to possibility and working hard to advance our strategic priorities (preservation, programming, and partnerships).

• We will continue to be open for day visitors and tours so please plan to come by occasionally or often.

• Justin, our Horticulture Manager who is also a long-time educator, is building relationships with local schools. We will pilot some new school-based programming this spring with connected curriculum to bring engaging student experiences to life.

• We will add more botanical labels for important trees and shrubs, addressing a much-requested improvement as we continue to develop our interpretive visitor experience.

• Our newly completed tree inventory (shout out to Kat Gritt, our garden fellow from Merritt College who championed this effort) will provide a powerful foundation for us to apply for official Arboretum status and advance our ability to showcase the value of our collection.

Justin’s Hort Report.

Shout outs.

This past fall, we launched a fundraising campaign to support our growth and replenish our operating reserves. We submitted both federal and regional grants, built new partnerships with philanthropic organizations, and established new donor relationships. We also launched a Seed Circle program for those with capacity to give $5,000 or more. A deep bow of gratitude to all who helped spread the word and/or contributed.

To date, we have raised over $100,000, primarily from individuals who gave both small and large amounts. This is a huge increase over 2023 and a critical step in our long-term health and sustainability. Thank you!!

If you’ve been meaning to donate (or after reading this, you are compelled to make a contribution) please click the button below. All amounts are meaningful and make an impact.

We wish you a peaceful and joyous new year.