How you can help

Give a Lasting Gift to the Community

Now's your chance to be a part of something your community will appreciate and enjoy. The arboretum is our botanical heritage. A living memorial requires constant maintenance. An arboretum needs continuous fertilizing, watering, pruning, mowing, relabeling and pest control in order to thrive. Your support will nourish and maintain this unique collection.

You may select from any of the following options:

General Operating Support

Selecting a plant:

Our horticultural staff will meet with you and help you make the best choices for your special gift. Then they'll specially select, purchase and plant all plant materials. If a plant fails to survive it will be replaced one time at no cost to the donor. Because of the unique and diverse plant collection at the arboretum, our policy no longer allows us to accept live plant material or to install special objects such as bronze memorial plaques, granite boulders, posts, etc.

Selecting a garden

You may enhance existing collections by making a donation for the development and maintenance of your favorite garden.

Adopting an existing plant or tree

Our horticultural staff will meet with you to advise you which plants or trees are available for adoption. A plant or tree may be adopted in memory or in honor of an individual. Upon adoption, the information will be sent to the individuals concerned and will include a map of the plant's location.

Plaques

Brass plaques may be purchased through the arboretum for $5.00 and are housed on the plaque wall in the park office.

Labyrinth Garden

The Labyrinth Garden is a project initiaited by the Nevada State Attorney General's Office, the Washoe County District Attorney's Office, and VICTORY (Victims In Crisis, Turmoil, orRecovery). It is dedicated to victims of violent crime in our community and their loved ones.

Labyrinths have been used for centuries as tools for healing, meditation, and bringing peace into people's lives. These patterned circuits offer a place for people of all faiths and beliefs to walk, think, or simply reflect in order to help themselves and their families heal on a personal, as well as a community, level. They are distinct from mazes, which are designed to confuse people by confronting them with many entrances, endings, and choices.

Donations of $120,000 are required to complete Phases II & III of the Labyrinth Garden, which includes lawn and landscaped areas, benches, and shade structures. If you or your organization would like to support this continued development, please fill out and then print out and mail the donor form.
We thank you in advance for your generosity in furthering this healing, meditative place which benfits our entire community.

Leaving a legacy

The tranquility of the garden makes it the perfect place to include as a bequest in your will. The arboretum staff will be happy to discuss your options with you.

Rancho San Rafael Botanical Society

The Rancho San Rafael Botanical Society is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to promote community support for the Wilbur D. May Arboretum in Rancho San Rafael Regional Park, and to stimulate involvement in local horticultural activities. Membership in the society supports this living museum of plants and related programs.

All donations are tax deductible. Donations are accepted in the form of pledges, cash, or bequest.