The Pacific Northwest Horticultural Conservancy is, according to the organization’s marketing co-chair Ann DesJardien, “a group of dedicated volunteers who came together with a strong conviction and unwavering dedication to preserve the gardens at the former Heronswood property to provide education and research opportunities for gardeners, students and horticulturalists in the Puget Sound area as well as nationally and internationally.”

The group and its advisory board, which are still being organized, are a veritable “who’s who” of the Puget Sound horticultural community, including Maria Carlos, Richie Steffen, horticultural coordinator for the Elizabeth Carey Miller Botanical Garden, Richard Brown, executive director of the Bloedel Reserve; Linda Cochran, a noted Bainbridge Island gardener, David Lewis, owner of Little & Lewis Sculpture and radio and television personality, garden expert Ciscoe Morris.

Heronswood, founded by Dan Hinkley and partner Robert Jones in 1987, put the Pacific Northwest on the map for many serious horticulturists and was renowned for the diversity of its collection. Much of the collection was grown from seeds collected by Hinkley, an avid plant explorer and former horticulture instructor at Edmonds Community College. Burpee purchased the business and garden property from Hinkley and Jones — who are not involved with the conservancy’s efforts — in 2000.

Although the word “Heronswood” is synonymous in the minds of many with the beautiful garden property cultivated over two decades by Hinkley and Jones, members of the Pacific Northwest Horticultural Conservancy are very careful to distinguish between the property and the business known as Heronswood.

“The Heronswood Nursery and nursery stock was moved to Pennsylvania,” said Elizabeth Drury, development chair for the organization. “The Pacific Northwest Horticultural Conservancy has been formed to acquire and preserve the unique gardens, which still exist on the Kitsap Peninsula.”

Conservancy board members are also quick to point out that the organization and its work are still in the nascent stages, both on the local level, as well as with Heronswood property owner Burpee.

“We have more work to do to get a better idea of how much money the county would require for updates to the property before it could be used as an educational site,” said Lee Neff, chair of the conservancy’s board.

Although the group has had some discussions with organizations, such as Olympic College and Olympic Property Group, on a general, “how might we work together in the future” level, at this point none of these organizations has any involvement with the conservancy.

“We’re not involved at all,” said Jon Rose, president of Olympic Property Group. “We’ve just chatted as potential neighbors.”

Members of the conservancy met in October with George Ball, Jr, the president of Burpee, as well as with Hans Miller, the company’s chief financial officer, and Neff hopes that they will have the opportunity to meet with them again in January.

“They’re being very encouraging of us,” said Neff. “And that’s been wonderful. [Burpee’s] come to see that this would be a wonderful way to use the property.”

Burpee’s initial sale figure for the property was reported as $11 million, which may bit a bit ambitious for the market and the property’s current zoning. At one point, Burpee was reportedly considering subdividing the property and either developing it for homes or selling it to a developer. But the requirements of the state’s Growth Management Act and the existing zoning, all but preclude that option.

If the January meeting takes place, Neff said, chances are discussions about a purchase price will begin, but at this point costs and finances are still up in the air.

“It’s very hard to know [many details] at this point,” she said. “We’re hoping that sometime in the spring to have a final decision.”

Although the Pacific Northwest Horticultural Conservancy’s official fundraising efforts have not yet begun in earnest, the organization has set up an endowment fund to cover future maintenance costs for the garden through the Kitsap Community Foundation. And an anonymous donor recently issued a challenge match of up to $25,000 for funds received for the endowment by Dec. 31. The status of the matching funds was not available at press time, but Neff anticipated that donations would at least cover the $10,000 minimum the match challenge required.

“We are also collecting funds for the purchase of the property,” said Drury. “A formal fund drive will take place in the near future, however, any financial gifts are gratefully received.”

Individuals who wish to donate to the endowment fund may do so by sending checks to Kitsap Community Foundation, P O Box 3670, Silverdale, WA 98383, with the notation “PNHC.” Stock and credit card donations can also be received by the Kitsap Community Foundation by calling (360) 698-3622. Those who wish to donate to the property purchase fund may send checks to P O Box 1575, Kingston, WA 98346.