April 21, 2009
Dear Friend of Cape Fear Botanical Garden,
As you may have recently read in The Fayetteville Observer, Cape Fear Botanical Garden (CFBG) was cut from the North Carolina Senate’s version of the budget presented to the House of Representatives. Over the last 10 years, funds have been provided to CFBG by the General Assembly through Fayetteville Technical Community College.
Our Partnership:
Education is one of the Garden’s highest priorities. A highlight of our education outreach is a ten year public/private partnership with Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC). The purpose of this partnership is to make use of the Garden’s facilities as an outdoor laboratory for the education of FTCC’s horticulture technology students and to benefit the Garden through the resulting efforts of the students. Students perfect job skills such as landscape and construction techniques, irrigation design and installation, and plant identification. Former students have achieved professional success through positions at Smithsonian Institution Gardens, Ft. Bragg, Fayetteville State University, FTCC, and numerous entrepreneurial efforts in our region. Additionally, the Garden and FTCC share personnel, facilities, and gardens to the mutual benefit of each. This partnership is funded by the State of North Carolina as a $300,000 annual allocation.
Garden Highlights:
Pre-School & Grade School Education: More than 3000 students from Cumberland, Bladen, Robeson, Hoke, Harnett, Johnson and Sampson county schools take advantage of our Garden to provide hands-on artistic and natural science experiential activities and tours. Our programs are cost-efficient so that even during difficult economic times, teachers are able to provide a learning opportunity outside the classroom.
Tourism: CFBG is a major tourist attraction for our state. In the last three years, the Garden has seen an 80% increase in visitation. Those visiting are coming from all 50 states and 17 different countries. Most recently we were featured as one of the Best Stops off I-95 by Southern Living magazine and highlighted in the April issue of Our State magazine.
Additional Benefits: CFBG offers a place of grace and beauty in this region. We encourage and promote environmental stewardship, conservation and research. The Garden provides an opportunity to understand our agricultural heritage through gardens and exhibits that demonstrate farm life at the turn of the 19th century. Additionally, we engage in active partnerships in our community so that we work effectively and efficiently to make a greater impact on this region.ExpansionLast week, Cape Fear Botanical Garden released for bid the plans to construct our Visitors Pavilion Complex funded through the Campaign for Natural Growth. More than $6.3 million has been raised for this effort. The General Assembly’s investment of $300,000 would ensure our ability to move forward with construction therefore providing an economic stimulus in this community in the amount of $7 million. Hundreds in the construction industry would be employed during this time period. If the $300,000 allocation is not provided to the Garden, this project is in jeopardy. In addition, if the $300,000 is cut, up to eight Garden employees will lose their jobs. That is more that half of our current staff.
We Need Your Help: Our local delegation is working as hard as possible to rectify this situation. It would, however, be wonderful for them and other House and Senate officials to hear from our friends, members and stakeholders on how important we are to this state and region.Please take a moment to call or write a letter of support to our elected officials and reference your support of House Bill 1509. Below, you will find the names and addresses of our local delegation in addition to the members of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Education. Thank you for your support of Cape Fear Botanical Garden.
Sincerely,
Julia Love
President, Board of Directors
Cape Fear Botanical Garden
North Carolina State Delegation from Fayetteville: Senator Tony RandNC Senate
300 N. Salisbury Street, Room 300-C
Raleigh, NC 27603-5925Tonyr@ncleg.net
Senator Larry Shaw NC Senate
300 N. Salisbury Street, Room 311
Raleigh, NC 27603-5925Larrys@ncleg.net
Representative Margaret Dickson NC House of Representatives
16 W. Jones Street, Room 1219
Raleigh, NC 27601-1096Margaretd@ncleg.net
Representative Rick Glazier NC House of Representatives
16 W. Jones Street, Room 2215
Raleigh, NC 27601-1096Rickg@ncleg.net
Representative William Brisson NC House of Representatives
16 W. Jones Street, Room 1325
Raleigh, NC 27601-1096Williambr@ncleg.net
Representative Marvin Lucas NC House of Representatives
300 N. Salisbury Street, Room 417A
Raleigh, NC 27603-5925Marvinl@ncleg.net
Representative Elmer Floyd 301 C Legislative Office BuildingRaleigh, NC 27601-1096Elmer.Floyd@ncleg.net
Appropriations Subcommittee on Education – House of Representatives Chairman, Rep. Rick Glazier Chairman
Rep. Marian McLawhorn Marian.McLawhorn@ncleg.net 919-733-5757 NC House of Representatives
16 W. Jones Street, Room 1217
Raleigh, NC 27601-1096
Chairman, Rep. Ray Rapp Ray.Rapp@ncleg.net 919-733-5732 NC House of Representatives
16 W. Jones Street, Room 2213
Raleigh, NC 27601-1096
Vice Chairman, Rep. Larry Bell Larry.Bell@ncleg.net 919-733-5863 NC House of Representatives
300 N. Salisbury Street, Room 538
Raleigh, NC 27603-5925
Vice Chairman, Rep. Linda Johnson Linda.Johnson2@ncleg.net 919-733-5861 NC House of Representatives
16 W. Jones Street, Room 1006
Raleigh, NC 27601-1096
Vice Chairman, Rep. Marvin Lucas
Vice Chairman, Rep. Earline Parmon Earline.Parmon@ncleg.net 919-733-5829 NC House of Representatives
300 N. Salisbury Street, Room 541
Raleigh, NC 27603-5925
Vice Chairman, Rep. Rep. Cullie Tarleton Cullie.Tarleton@ncleg.net 919-733-7727 NC House of Representatives
16 W. Jones Street, Room 2221
Raleigh, NC 27601-1096
Members: Rep. Hugh Blackwell, Rep. Mark Hilton, Rep. Bryan Holloway, Rep. Laura Wiley
