Arlis Harvey

We would like to take time to salute another original arboretum volunteer: Arlis Harvey.  Her hard work and dedication have, literally, put the “arbor” in the arboretum.  Arlis built by hand the wonderful arbor structure which graces the area she gardens.  Arlis also has built the alder benches found in several places around our arboretum grounds.  And by building other benches for individuals, in return for their donations, Arlis has contributed significantly to the arboretum funding.  Recently Arlis has shared her skill with others by offering workshops on bench building.

Teaching comes naturally to Arlis, a former high school math instructor.  But her dedication to sculpting young minds extends beyond the classroom.  Arlis has managed the Bonner County Youth Accountability program, setting youngsters back onto a path where they can redeem and improve themselves.  Compared to bending the direction of a troubled youth, bending Alder for benches would seem easy. 

Arlis embodies our own mission of education and outreach, of creating and nurturing a habitat where our native species can grow strong.  With her lifetime devotion to teaching, sharing, guiding and sculpting lives as well as her skill in crafting wonderful works of art from wood, Arlis sets a high standard for the rest of us to follow.  By bringing skill and passion to her work Arlis inspires us all to become our best.