Snoqualmie Valley Garden Club

As a 501c3, SVGC’s mission is to inform, educate, and inspire our members and the community in the art, science, and joy of gardening, while fostering a commitment to environmental stewardship.

Blooming Beneath Blue Skies

Under the generous glow of summer, our gardens and our community are thriving. This month brings the joy of Plant Bingo, where every leaf and bloom is a chance to win, and a fascinating presentation on Medicinal & Native Plants, celebrating the healing power rooted in our Pacific Northwest soil.

Club Happenings ….

  • Tuesday, July 28th 9:30AM: Board Meeting (Members only)

  • Tuesday, August 11th 6:30PM: Club Meeting - ‘Forensic Botany’ with Lydia Pozzato

  • Saturday, September 5th: 4th Annual Garden Tour & Progressive Dinner (Members only)

  • Tuesday, September 8th 6:30PM: Club Meeting - Annual Business Meeting

NOTE: Going forward, we will be accepting donations for the Snoqualmie Valley Food Bank at our monthly meetings. An updated list of the most needed items can be found on their website.

JOIN US FOR OUR AUGUST MEETING:

FORENSIC BOTANY: When Plants Become Silent Witnesses

with Lydia Pozzato

TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2026 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Encompass Child Development Center

9050 384th Ave SE Snoqualmie, WA 98065

How might a few grains of pollen be instrumental in solving a cold case homicide? Is it possible to locate clandestine grave sites, based on the type of vegetation present, and even use that information to figure out how, where, and when the victim was killed? Can the growth pattern of plants really help to establish "time since death" estimates, which are critical in identifying unknown victims of homicides?

Find the answers to these questions, and more, in this fascinating presentation on Forensic Botany, given by retired FBI Supervisory Special Agent Lydia Pozzato, who taught the FBI's course on Death Investigations to police executives at the prestigious FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA, as a member of the Behavioral Science Unit.

Please Note:  This presentation is intended for teens and adults. It includes discussion of real criminal investigations, including homicide cases, and may not be suitable for young children. Parents should use their discretion.

Member tickets FREE (check your newsletter for details) and guest tickets $10.00

Individual members may reserve 1 member ticket; family memberships may reserve 2 member tickets. Members may purchase additional guest tickets.

MEMBERS, RESERVE YOUR TICKETS NOW! GUEST TICKETS WILL GO ON SALE TO THE PUBLIC ON JULY 28TH. SEATS ARE LIMITED.

Thanks so much to Lea Dyga …

… for her fascinating presentation on Medicinal & Native Plants of the Pacific Northwest! She highlighted some more readily available plants, explained how to use them, and some of their benefits, as well as some safety tips. She even brewed some interesting teas for us to try!

Elections will be held at our annual business meeting on September 8, 2026

Fresh leadership keeps our club vibrant and forward‑thinking. Welcoming new officers and trustees brings diverse perspectives and creative energy, while giving past leaders a well‑earned rest and the chance to support in new ways. Please consider running for election. All Officers positions are 1 year term, and Trustee positions are 2 year term. If you are interested in serving, we encourage you to attend one of our Board Meetings. The positions available are as follows:

President

Vice President

Secretary

Treasurer

In the Community ….

Congratulations to …

… our 2026 Scholarship recipient, MAX KNUDSEN!

Max is a Senior at Mount Si High School and will be attending Washington State University this fall studying Animal Science. He is an active member of the FFA and was proud to take us to the FFA Plant Sale following the award ceremony to show off their hard work. Thanks to your support of our fundraisers and a generous matching donation from KPFF Consulting Engineers, via member Roxanne Oynes, we were able to award Max with a $3000 scholarship toward his education.

Pictured L to R: Nancy Tucker (Board Member, Scholarship Committee), Max Knudsen, Amber Chaki (President), Denise Dubose (Board Member, Scholarship Committee)

… Snoqualmie Valley Garden Club!

We are honored to be recognized by Empower Youth Network with a Rise & Shine Award on June 3rd, for our work at the Encompass Children’s Sensory Garden. To learn more about Empower Youth Network and their work in The Valley, click this link.

Pictured L to R: Joyce Holloway (SVGC Member), Amber Chaki (President), Megan Michalson (Encompass Director of Development)

Our events are entirely volunteer-run, bringing together a vibrant community to host fundraisers, celebrity speakers, plant sales, expert-led workshops, garden tours, field trips, and more.

Click here for more information on the benefits of becoming a member!