By Donna Beth Weilenman
Staff Reporter
The Willis Linn Jepson chapter of the California Native Plant society will dedicate eight interpretive panels Saturday at the Forrest Deaner Native Plant Botanic Garden in the Benicia State Recreation Area.
They will be the first permanent educational panels in the garden, said Gene Doherty, president of the chapter.
Garden visitors will hear about Proposition 21, a Nov. 2 state ballot initiative that would add an $18 annual fee to California vehicles in exchange for giving those vehicles free day-use admission to state parks. Supporters call it an effort to provide adequate, stable funding to California’s parks system.
Visitors Saturday will also be told how they can volunteer at the garden.
After the dedication, visitors may accompany docents on tours of the garden.
The panels were installed with the help of volunteers through a partnership with the California Department of Parks and Recreation, with funding from Solano County, the California State Parks Foundation and the Delta Protection Commission.
The garden, which was dedicated Nov. 13, 2004, is named for Forrest Deaner, the founder of the Willis Linn Jepson Chapter, who recruited volunteers and plant professionals and negotiated with the state to secure the garden site in the park.
After Deaner’s death, his widow, Norma, and members of the Botanic Garden Committee completed the garden.
The event begins at 10 a.m. Saturday and is open to the public. Healthy snacks and beverages will be available.
Those bringing dogs are being asked to keep their pets on leashes.
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