Late Spring Update!!!

Late Spring Update from Season's Eden

Progress, Partnerships, and Preparing for Summer

As I sit down to write this update, I find myself smiling at how much has happened over the past few months. Not because everything has gone exactly according to plan—it certainly hasn't—but because so much good has happened anyway.

When 2026 began, my goal was to have our first overnight dome completed and welcoming guests by spring. Like most entrepreneurs, dreamers, and builders, I had a timeline in my head and a vision in my heart. The reality, however, is that building something meaningful takes time, patience, and resources. Funding challenges pushed that timeline back, and while I won't pretend that wasn't disappointing, I've learned that progress doesn't always look like a finished project.

Sometimes progress looks like people showing up. Sometimes it looks like community. Sometimes it looks like one step forward after another. And thankfully, we've had a lot of those moments this spring.

Eden Arboretum & Gardens Is Officially Growing

One of the most exciting developments this year has been the continued growth of Eden Arboretum & Gardens.

Receiving our nonprofit status was a huge milestone and one that took years of dreaming, planning, paperwork, and persistence. This vision has always been bigger than lodging or events. It's about conservation, education, accessibility, community, and creating a place where people can reconnect with the natural world.

Now that our nonprofit status is official, we can begin expanding volunteer opportunities, educational programming, fundraising efforts, and community partnerships that will help us create something truly special for generations to come.

This is the beginning of a legacy project, and I couldn't be more excited.

It Takes a Village

One thing this journey has taught me is that no meaningful dream is built alone.

This spring, we've been blessed by some incredible community partners who have stepped forward to support what we're building.

Kirkman & Kirkman have generously donated their time, shared resources, connected us with valuable contacts, and encouraged others throughout the community to get involved. Their support has helped create momentum at a time when momentum matters most.

Nathan and the team at Capitol Materials have also stepped forward in a tremendous way by donating gravel that will help improve roads, trails, and future sites throughout Eden Arboretum & Gardens. Every load helps transform ideas on paper into something tangible people can experience.

To both organizations, and to every individual who has volunteered, shared our posts, attended an event, offered advice, or simply encouraged us along the way—thank you.

You are helping build something bigger than any one person.

The Dome Is Becoming Reality

While the overnight dome isn't quite ready for guests, we are closer than we've ever been.

This spring we completed several major milestones:

• Flooring installation

• Septic tank placement

• Electrical service to the pole

• Event-ready gathering space

There is still work ahead to connect utilities and complete the final details, but for the first time, I can truly see the finish line. The dome is already serving as a gathering space for events, meetings, and future programming, which feels like a huge win. Dreams rarely happen all at once. They happen in phases, and we're making real progress every day.

Primitive Camping Is Open

While we continue building the next phase, primitive camping is officially open. Guests can enjoy fishing, campfires, trails, wildlife, stargazing, and all the simple things that make life feel a little less rushed.

Primitive campers also have access to the lower level of the clubhouse featuring:

• Billiards

• Board games

• Indoor gathering space

• A place to relax after a day outdoors

There's something special about unplugging and reconnecting with nature, and spring has been beautiful on the property.

Building Community Through Events

One of my favorite parts of coordinating these projects is bringing people together.

Our First Friday Fishing Derby continues to grow and has become a wonderful way for neighbors, families, and visitors to gather around Lake Lincoln. Fishing, prizes, raffles, s'mores, cocoa, and plenty of stories make for a great evening.

We're also looking for local vendors interested in participating in future events. If you'd like to showcase your products or services, we'd love to hear from you.

Our Women's Wellness Group continues to develop into something really special as well. These gatherings create space for reflection, connection, learning, and support during all seasons of life. This past few months we have watched the participation increase and look forward to the years to come.

And then there's Project Lightning Bug!!

What began as a simple idea continues to evolve into a movement centered around encouragement, kindness, community, and spreading a little light wherever we can. I'm excited to see where this project takes us. Remember, we all have a light inside us and helping others is a way to SHINE!! Be the Lightning Bug to someone else!!

Friends & Family Weekend Will Be Extra Special This Year

Our annual Friends & Family Weekend returns during Summer Solstice Weekend, and this year's gathering will carry special meaning for me personally. It will be the first Father's Day without my dad. Many of you know how much he loved this property and how excited he was about what we were building here. Gathering together on the land he loved, sharing stories, laughter, food, fishing, and fellowship feels like a beautiful way to honor him. We'll celebrate with camping, community activities, time on the water, and of course, our Father's Day Brunch.

Veterans Programming Still Looking for Partners

Supporting veterans has always been part of the long-term vision for Season's Eden. Now with the Eden Arboretum and Garden’s non-profit status we are creating many programs, our flagship program will focus on Veterans and reconnecting after service/deployment.

We're actively seeking veteran organizations interested in partnering on retreats, wellness programs, educational opportunities, outdoor experiences, and community-building events. If your organization shares that mission, I would love to have a conversation. There is so much potential here, and we're just getting started.

Growing Gardens and Growing People

Spring planting season brought some wonderful additions to the property, including seeds and growing supplies from Noah's Nursery, one of our favorite local vendors. Supporting local businesses is what we are all about here at Season’s Eden and now building Eden Arboretum and Gardens feels like a natural fit.

The gardens are growing, wildflowers are blooming, fish are biting, and summer is right around the corner.

Every season brings something new to discover here.

Retreats, Team Building, and Learning at Eden

Another exciting development happening behind the scenes is the work we're doing through Your Personnel Season (YPS). For more than twenty years I've worked with organizations, leaders, and teams to build stronger workplaces, healthier cultures, and more effective communication.

Now we're bringing that experience to Season's Eden.

We're developing programming that will include:

• Corporate team-building retreats

• Leadership development workshops

• Small business learning opportunities

• Entrepreneur gatherings

• Wellness-focused workplace training

• Community education and personal growth classes

These experiences will take place in the dome and throughout the property, blending business learning with wellness, nature, reflection, and connection.

Not every lesson needs to happen in a conference room.

Sometimes the best ideas happen around a campfire, on a walking trail, or while watching the sunset over the lake.

Looking Ahead

Property signage is currently being designed. Roads and trails are improving. Gardens are expanding. Community partnerships are growing. The dome continues moving toward completion. Eden Arboretum & Gardens is gaining momentum.

No, we haven't reached every goal we set for this spring.

But we haven't stopped moving forward either.

The dream is alive.

And every day, more people are helping bring it to life.

Whether you've volunteered, donated, attended an event, shared our story, offered encouragement, or simply followed along on this journey, thank you. You're helping build something special.I hope you'll come visit this summer and see what's growing.

With gratitude,

Season Davis
Founder, Season's Eden
Founder, Eden Arboretum & Gardens

"Spring planted the seeds. Summer is where we begin sharing the harvest."