Timeline

• May 2001 Robert W. Monk III initiated conversations with the University of Wisconsin- Marathon County about his interest in donating land on the north west side of Wausau for the purpose of establishing a botanical garden.
  
• 2001 - 2003 Focus group and public meetings held with various audiences to determine interest for establishing a botanical garden.
  
• Fall 2001 Friends group established. Friends begin taking field trips to other botanical gardens in the state to gain ideas
  
• Fall 2002 Glenn Spevacek, former director of the Green Bay Botanical Garden, hired as a consultant for the development of the Robert W. Monk Gardens
  
• Jan. 2003 Foundation of UWMC with the leadership of Campus Dean James Veninga secures a grant from the Alexander Foundation to conduct an environmental assessment on the property.
  
• Jan. 2003 UWMC Foundation awarded a WI Dept. of Natural Resources Urban Forestry Grant for 2004.
  
• Jan. 2003 Darla Zastrow is named the project director.
  
• Mar. 2003 REI conducts environmental assessment of the property
  
• Aug. 2003 Articles of Incorporation for the Robert W. Monk Gardens, Inc. are filed
  
• Oct. 2003 Board of directors has first meeting and elects officers and adopts By Laws
  
• Spring 2004 Community Foundation grant of $3,000 secured toward Master Plan
  
• Summer 2004 Board solicits bids for Master Plan. 501(c)(3) status with IRS received
  
• Oct. 2004 Marshall, Tyler, Rausch, LLC design firm selected to do Master Plan and business plan for the garden
  
• Nov. 29-Dec. 3, 2004 Charette conducted as beginning of the Master Plan process
  
• Dec. 2, 2004 Donations and pledges secured to match DNR Urban Forestry Grant
  
• Dec. 2004 Board of Directors adopted MTR's concept for the garden development
  
• Dec. 29, 2004 Mr. Monk deeds 21.4916 acres of land to the Robert W. Monk Gardens, Inc.
  
• Feb. 2005 Master Plan Phase 1 and business plan finalized
• May 2005         First tree plantings in Wildflower Woods
• Summer 2005    Deer exclusion fencing plan drafted & River Valley State Bank pays for fencing materials.
• Summer 2006    Planting begins in the Meadow Opening and Wildflower Woods with several hundred donated plants.
• Fall 2005/2006   First & second annual bulb sale fundraiser.
• Planning for major capital campaign & investigation of grant opportunities. 
• Donation and installation of a screened gazebo from Heartland Gazebos.
• Ongoing site work by Mr. Monk and volunteers, including planting of bulbs and perennials, clearing and mulching trail system, drainage and more. 
• Grant from Community Foundation of Northcentral Wisconsin completes funding needed for fencing.

• Jan 2007  Contract for deer fencing installation signed with Straightline Fence of Wittenburg, WI.

• May 2007   Deer fencing installation completed by Straightline Fence of Wittenburg, WI, with funding from River Valley State Bank and the George L. Geisler Fund of the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin.

Board of Directors

Officers:
• President - Nancy Hessert (UWMC Foreign Languages Department)
  
• Vice President - Hooshang Zeyghami (Central Wisconsin Engineers, UWMC Foundation)
  
• Secretary - Dr. Paul Whitaker (UWMC Biology Department)
  
• Treasurer - Vickie Richmond Hawkins (UWMC Continuing Education Department)
  
  Members:
• Rita Crooks (UWMC Alumna, artist)
• Wayne Geurink (retired - Wausau Insurance Companies) - Past President of RWMGI Board
• Anne Kieffer (Horticulturalist, D.C. Everest School District)
• Dr. Frank Rubino (Aspirus, Family Health Specialists)
• Paul Jones (LandArt, Inc.)
• Thomas Batterman (Virgil Trust & Financial Advocacy)
• Ann Meyer (Martathon County Master Gardeners)
• Shelly Wells (attorney, Daubert Law Firm)
• Lori Weyers (President, Northcentral Technical College)
• Robert W. Monk III (Ex Officio)

• Staff: Darla Zastrow (UWMC Biology Department) - Friends Group Coordinator
• Advisor: Jim Veninga (UWMC Dean)