Winterbloom

Outreach At Winterbloom, we believe that the life of a business extends beyond the boundaries of serving ourselves. We value extending our gifts and abilities into the local and global community to try and make a difference in our world.

Over the years, we have had local opportunities to help plant native trees and shrubs with the City of Tigard. Phil has taught classes with Master Gardeners, venues at the Yard, Garden & Patio Show, local garden clubs, adult community education classes through local churches as well as in community college programs. We have also offered discounted services to the disabled and elderly.

Phil was raised overseas in Burundi, Africa and also spent time in Kenya and Rwanda. He has a heart for the peoples, cultures and native habitats of these areas. These areas of the world are in desperate need for native vegetation, trees and an understanding of sustainability. It is Phil and Barb’s desire to share gifts, talents and time with these parts of our World.

Kenya In 2007 Dennis Hagen, Vice Chancellor of Kaimosi Friends University in Western Kenya, invited Phil and his wife, Barb, to consider developing the Landscape Plan for the University. At that time, the goal was to have classes begin in September 2010. Phil had known Dennis Hagen for many years as a fellow member of Tigard Friends church as well as being a student of Dennis’ back in the late 1960’s at George Fox University.

The Kenyan University is a “sister” University of George Fox. After many months of consideration, Phil and Barb pursued the trip to Kenya to help with the University’s development. One of the key components to the landscape plan, for the new University campus, was to utilize only native trees to the Kenya western highlands, including the Kakamega forest nearby.

Rwanda Following their time in Kenya, Phil and Barb flew to Rwanda to help Friends’ Missionaries, David and Debby Thomas, to help determine the health of the native forest and vegetation at a Missionary Retreat Center, Kumbya, on Lake Kivu in Western Rwanda. The Kumbya Committee, a group responsible for the Kumbya Retreat Center, had been asked by the Rwandan Government to consider developing the area into an eco-tourist destination because of the unique remnant ecosystem there. Kumbya holds special memories for Phil as this was a favorite vacation destination for him and his family when they served as Missionaries in Burundi.

Because of the nature of landscape development in Kenya along with nature conservation in Rwanda, visits to both places were pro bono projects of Winterbloom. Landscape conservation, preservation and sustainability continue to be important focuses for our Company. It was a great honor and privilege to contribute and participate in both of these efforts.

Speaker:
Garden Clubs (Portland, Tigard, Kelso)
Rhododendron Society Meeting (Oregon Coast)
Fuchsia Society Meeting (Portland)
Yard, Garden and Patio Show (Portland)

Teacher:
Master Gardner’s Workshops/Classes:
Oregon State University in Corvallis, Newport, Hillsboro, McMinnville

Landscape Design (Evening Adult Education)
PCC Sylvania (1985-1993)
Clackamas Community College (1993-2003)

$5 Landscape Classes (open to the public)
Tigard Community Friends Church