TREE HOUSE AND CAMPUS DEVELOPMENTS

“Are you moved in yet??”

 

This is one of the very common questions we hear these days in regards to the Tree House. One quick tour - and we are glad to provide tours - will tell you the real story!

In early 2004, American Marine Bank, which is building on the corner of Lindvog and Hwy 104, offered to give to Stillwaters the building that was on the property as a barber shop and offices. We moved it to the Stillwaters property in September, 2004.

The Tree House is on its foundation and secure, but there is a long, long way to go before it will be ready to house seminars and education programs, store equipment and materials, and house the staff. Right now it is serving as a storage building as we collect materials for the remodeling we are planning.

This is a 2-story building of approximately 1,500 square feet that has been around Kingston for some time. Before it was on this corner as a barber shop, it was built across the street at Kingston Lumber, as the "Tree House" model of a cabin kit, and used as their garden shop.

Our newest working group is the Landscape Plan Task Force. Stillwaters is excited to partner with the WSU Extension Master Gardeners program in turning the entire campus into WSU model gardens for the Master Gardeners in the North Kitsap area. The landscape plans we are creating will incorporate forest stewardship, buffer enhancement, drainfield area planting, permaculture design, greenhouse gardening, strictly native plant areas, wetland restoration, companion planting, and organic gardening.

The Exhibit Planning Committee is continuing to refine their visions for a dynamic and inspirational interpretive center, visiting other newer environmental centers in the region. They are also constructing an exhibit: a topo relief model of the Carpenter Creek watershed. Don Davidson is cutting layers with a scroll saw, following the patterns of a 6x8' topo map.

Architecture Committee members are watching over the process of conditional use permits, electric hook- up, septic system planning, driveway plans and more. They also get to have fun with the creative process of learning about green building options such as solar power, day-lighting, and rainwater collection.

Many hands helped prepare the construction-damaged area for EcoFest. We constructed and planted a berm along the driveway, and spread yards and yards of wood chips over the muddy ground. Thanks to Asplundh and Field & Forest for the donated chips, & to Cliffside Gardens for the ferns & cedars!

 

The Campaign Development Committee is still diligently cultivating donations for the completion of Phase 1 of our Capital Campaign by July. Sally Christy created a simple but striking photo display of the many in-kind contributions that have been made to the campus development project. It’s a great illustration of the wide community input that is creating the building and the campus! We are grateful for a good response to our recent appeal letter, and we’re starting to make more individual donor visits. Our total fund raising goal for this Phase 1 is $175,000 – we have $140,000.

 WE NEED YOUR HELP! Join the Tree House Homecoming – Send your special contribution now! And thanks for your help!