FJOA Projects

The arboretum has benefitted from community support since the beginning. In 2012, the Juneau Garden Club and Juneau-Gastineau Rotary Club fenced the newly rehabilitated historic vegetable garden. That same year, the Friends of Jensen-Olson Arboretum was created to raise money and organize efforts to enhance the arboretum. Since the purchase of the lawnmower way back then, the projects and programs have improved the visitor experience throughout the garden in a variety of ways.

2023

We plan to add additional art in the form of a memorial tree and a Formline design bench (thank you Abel Ryan and Juneau students) and to add plant signage on the Pt. Caroline trail. We also worked with an Alaskan contractor to create a new website.

2022

Celebrated the arboretum’s 15th anniversary with Art in the Garden, a summer outdoor art exhibit. Three pieces will be displayed permanently.

In addition, a cover was added to the garage to provide a cover for the potting area.

2021

Established the FJOA Perennial Endowment Fund at the Juneau Community Foundation with an initial $25,000 contribution.

Initiated the Weed Warrior program to support operations in the garden. Published the first arboretum field guide.

2020

Purchased more plant labels, and published the first map of the garden.

2019

Raised funds for improved toilet facilities which were given a high priority in a survey of arboretum visitors. The Lovely Loo was built locally and opened in 2021 with support from Rasmuson Foundation, Juneau Community Foundation, and Southeast Alaska Master Gardeners.

2018

Purchased entry panel materials for a new entrance to the garden which included:

The construction of a new parking lot (thank you CBJ),
A new access trail (thank you Trail Mix), and
A beautiful entry arch (thank you Bill Ehlers).

2017

Created the Word Garden and celebrated the arboretum’s 10th anniversary with a ribbon cutting. Began volunteering as docents to welcome visitors to the garden.

Rocks engraved with Tlingit, Tagalog, Spanish and English words — This interactive feature at the Arboretum encourages visitors to arrange rocks engraved with Tlingit, Tagalog, Spanish and English words to create messages or poetry.

Crowd attending the garden opening at the Arboretum's 10th birthday party, 2017. — Crowd attending the garden opening at the Arboretum’s 10th birthday party, 2017

Cathy Connor, famed local geologist, and Merrill Jensen, Arboretum Manager, officially open the Word Garden.

Enthusiastic young visitors unwrap rocks

Word Garden rocks making a sentence "a thing a fiend an I love to do is discover" — Rocks can be used for poems or phrases.

2016

Introduced the first children education events. Chilkats View Shelter was constructed with the help of Juneau Community Foundation, Juneau-Gastineau Rotary Club, Juneau Garden Club, and the CBJ Landscape Crew.

2015

Purchased botanical software to house the plant database.

2014

Purchased plant labels to enhance the educational experience for visitors.

2012

Purchased lawnmower that is still in use, now doing double duty as a snow blower.