By Miriam RafteryJune 13, 2024 (Rancho San Diego) – Seeds of change have been planted at the Water Conservation Garden. The Joint Powers Authority has taken over management and operations, while the nonprofit Friends of the Water Conservation declared bankruptcy after becoming mired in debt due to large loans.
Hope is blossoming among JPA members and a growing group of around 60 volunteers who have stepped up to fill key needs. Expenditures have been pruned and revenues are on the rise, though major funding is still needed for long term sustainability.
At its meeting on June 7, the JPA approved a budget of $589,723 for fiscal year 2024-25. Of that, only an estimated $84,000 is projected to be covered from revenues such as donations, memberships, events, gift shop and plant sales. The remaining $505,523 would be covered by the five JPA member water agencies, unless additional revenue sources can be found.
The monkey wrench in the works, however, is that the Sweetwater Water Authority is planning to pull out of the JPA. “Sweetwater Authority has already voted to put in their one-year withdrawal letter come July 1,” JPA Chairman Mark Robak told East County Magazine. “So the rubber has to meet the road here in the next year,” he said, noting the need to attract new JPA members and other long-term funding sources. “The development piece of this is front and center.”
Still, there is plenty to be optimistic about. After closing its doors briefly in February, the Garden is once again thriving in terms of attendance, membership, and enthusiasm. The gift shop has reopened, run by volunteers selling hand-made products crafted by the volunteers. Media coverage and social media have brought visitors from across the region. Yoga classes are back. A butterfly release is planned this Friday. More major events such as weddings are being booked, and the Garden is planning a November celebration of its 25th anniversary.
“We’re less than a third of the employee costs before,” Robak says of the prior management under the Friends nonprofit. Bankruptcy and the change of organizational leadership also uproots responsibility for repaying nearly a million dollars in loans that the Friends group incurred during and after COVID. “I’ve been in business for 34 years and know what things cost. Everything was inflated.” For example, Friends paid around $20,000 a month for accounting services, which the JPA has slashed to $3,500 a month for accounting and payroll services combined.
The newly approved budget calls for three full-time and three part-time employees, up from just two employees the past few months, interim director Lauren Magnuson and facilities manager Tim Townsley.At the June 7 JPA meeting, numerous volunteers spoke during public comments to praise the efforts of Magnuson and Townsley, urge that both be retained, and that Magnuson be named executive director.
The actual staff titles authorized in the budget for full-time positions are Chief Executive Officer, Garden Administration Manager, and Garden Operations/Maintenance Manager. Two part-time maintenance and one part-time administrative position were also approved.
Robak assured ECM in a phone call after the meeting that there is no intent to replace Magnuson, who could step into the role of full-time Garden Administration Manager, adding, ”She would actually be making more money than she had at Friends.” Decisions on the hiring process will be made at the July meeting.
Adding a CEO as well could bring on expertise in business management, fundraising and outreach beyond what has already been achieved, to provide long-term sustainability.
Robak made clear that the success in improving the garden’s financial outlook and morale has been a team effort. “We’ve done a pretty darn good job the last three months,” he said, doling out praise for the JPA members, the volunteers, Magnuson, Townsley, Brian Olney, and his own efforts including community outreach and more.Photo, right: JPA member Kathleen Hedberg praises efforts to revive the Garden, as Brian Olney and Chair Mark Robak look on.
JPA board member Kathleen Hedberg from Helix Water District praised everyone who has worked to achieve “fabulous” results in such a short timeframe. “This is a pivotal meeting, because we’re talking about a full-year budget It’s amazing that we cold even do that,” she observed, recalling the dire straits just a few months ago.
While some individuals’ efforts have been largely behind the scenes, volunteers’ support for the visible results reaped by Magnuson and Townsley was enthusiastic.Photo, left: Lauren Magnuson and Tim Townsley
Rachel McCurry praised Magnuson for “integrity and she’s an incredibly hard worker,” as well as for motivating volunteers. “What a gift we have found inLauren,”she concluded.
Rosalie Dosika (photo, right) called Magnuson the “best director ever” and noted that outreach to media has boosted attendance. “I’ve never seen so many people smiling...Our garden will no longer be a hidden gem—it will grow by leaps and bounds,” she predicted.
Emily Routman, who has served as consultant for the San Diego Zoo Global Alliance and other nonprofits, called Magnuson among the most effective executives she’s dealt with. "The best person for this job is already on the job,” she told the JPA board.It is unclear who might be tapped to fill the four new staff positions approved in the budget, through rumors have been making the rounds.
If funds can be raised to sustain not only retaining Magnuson and Townsley, but also adding four more staffers including someone with expertise to grow revenues exponentially, the result could be a hybrid business model that will enable the garden to thrive and delight future generations.
Read our prior coverage on the Garden’s financial struggles:
If you would like to visit the Water Conservation, or donate to help it thrive, visit https://thegarden.org/.