Winter is the forgotten season at Green Bay Botanical Garden.  Once Garden of Lights is over the crowds disappear, the lights come down, and the Garden resumes its peaceful winter calm.  But don’t make the mistake in thinking that there is nothing to see here this winter!  Stop by on a sunny afternoon and you’ll be amazed by the activity:  the icicles drip slowly and quietly while the chickadees, nuthatches, and finches pick seeds from the bird feeder; the hawk soars in search of mice who are brave enough to peek their heads above the snow; wild turkeys strut through the flower beds like they own the place, scraping the ground in hope of finding fallen seeds or berries.  Chances are you won’t see the shy red fox, but signs of his nightly adventures fill the woods – how far can you follow his tracks?  Snow clings to the ornamental grasses where the breeze hasn’t blown strong enough to shake it off, the crabapple trees and winterberry bushes show brightly and cheerfully against the winter snow, and the Cottage looks especially beautiful covered in newly fallen snow.

To make this beautiful season available to more viewers, Green Bay Botanical Garden is now open Monday – Saturday from 9 am – 4 pm this winter beginning on January 4th.  Stop in to take a winter walk, blaze your own cross-country ski trail past the pond, or venture through the prairie on snowshoes.  Bring a sled and the kids and carve out a toboggan run on the Belvedere hillside.  Attend one of our newly added Saturday morning education classes then enjoy lunch and an afternoon hike.  If you need another incentive, register for the Winter Walking Club at the admissions desk.  Each time you venture into the Garden this winter you’ll earn points towards discounts on memberships, education classes, or in the Trellis Gift Shop.

Don’t let this winter wonderland be “forgotten”.  Discover the joy of the winter garden at Green Bay Botanical Garden – it will make the wait for spring much more enjoyable!

Your support in growing Green Bay Botanical Garden is an investment in the future of our community.  Green Bay Botanical Garden offers educational and recreational opportunities that contribute to the quality of life in Northeast Wisconsin.  If you have not already done so, would you consider a gift of any size to support this perennial treasure in Green Bay?  A gift to our Annual Appeal ensures our ability to provide these valuable resources for many years to come.  To make your contribution, donate on-line at www.gbbg.org or mail your contribution to: Green Bay Botanical Garden, Attn: Maribeth Frinzi, 2600 Larsen Rd, Green Bay, WI  54303.  We are grateful for your support!

Another way you can support Green Bay Botanical Garden is to purchase a gift membership (and receive a complimentary embroidered fleece blanket), visit our gift shop or consider a tribute gift to be displayed in the Garden.  For more information, visit our website at www.gbbg.org or call (920) 490-9457.  Maribeth Frinzi (ext 105) or Jake Czarnik-Neimeyer (ext 104) would be happy to make arrangements for a membership or tribute/memorial gift.

Happy Holidays!

Through our second weekend, we’ve had over 10,600 visitors attend the 13th Annual WPS Garden of Lights at Green Bay Botanical Garden!  Wows, ooohs and aaahsare sounds commonly heard each night.  New this year is our 60 foot caterpillar lit by 20,000 LED lights, enticing visitors to explore the upper gardens.  With the snowfall that is on it’s way, the coming weekends should be even more magical with the reflection of over 250,000 lights off the snow!  Be sure to make this a “must see” during your holiday season.  There are 3 weekends left: December 11-13th, 18-20th and 26-27th.

Not only is this event a great family tradition, but it’s also a special place to create memories with the one you love….the mistletoe opportunities are here, the stars, the moon, we’ve got it all for creating the perfect date!  We’ve even had a couple of engagements out here at the Garden during the show. 

So come out and create your own memories….it’s the most beautiful place in the area!