Keeping Our Eyes on the Prize

This month, Boxerwood's Board of Directors adopted guiding priorities for BEA for the next three years. This map, our strategic plan, helps focus energies and resources as we aim for that “pot of gold.” For Boxerwood, that “gold” is a vibrant organization ably advancing its Earthcare mission for the benefit of all of us who call Rockbridge home. This new plan outlines three major goals: 1) Maintain Programmatic Excellence, 2) Advance Organizational Sustainability, and 3) Integrate The Meadow (our recently donated green burial preserve) into Boxerwood Operations and Care.

“Our full name is Boxerwood Education Association,” remarked Executive Director Ben Eland, “so teaching our community how to care for the Earth that cares for us is always central to what we do.” Though best known for its extensive school outreach programs (2,600 kids a year!), Boxerwood plans to continue to grow community-based programs as well. Projects such as composting and tree-planting get more people involved in transformative, hands-on stewardship, and that work will continue in the years ahead.

The Board also adopted specific plans for further securing the organization’s long-term well-being. Significantly, this includes consultant-informed plans for impactful fundraising, which in turn will help sustain the garden and facility for years to come. An essential component in the work is integrating into operations The Meadow, a 5-acre green cemetery gifted to Boxerwood by Hunter Mohring and Karen Bailey last year. “This is a remarkable donation,” said Ben, noting that The Meadow expands Boxerwood’s land holdings, provides additional stewardship opportunities, and strengthens resources for caring for the entire 20-acre property going forward: win-win-win.

While Boxerwood is many things to many people, these three strategic goals are designed to guide Boxerwood across the next chapters of its rainbow way. Thank you, friends and supporters, for all the ways you treasure this work too. Here is the outline of the Board-adopted plan, soon also to be published on the Boxerwood website.

1. Maintain Programmatic Excellence

   1. Sustain Project NEST (preK - HS) in all preschools and all three school divisions and maintain a robust portfolio of out-of-school programs including afterschool clubs, summer camps, and youth internships.

   2. Develop and sustain community programs that engage citizens of all ages in active stewardship.

   3. Leverage local partnerships and increase participation in the Boxerwood Volunteer Program to accomplish the above.

      
      

2. Advance Organizational Sustainability 

   1. Secure long term financial health of Boxerwood through:

      1. Execution of a major gifts campaign in 2026 

      2. Development and implementation of a more targeted annual giving strategy.

   2. Increase staff compensation and professional development programs across the organization.

   3. Advance garden and facility work plans that align with the stewardship principles articulated in Boxerwood’s Master Plan (2020).
      

3. Integrate Meadow Operations and Care

   1. Adopt The Meadow and its care into operational plans and practices.

   2. Create and implement internal financial structures. 

   3. Expand Boxerwood’s programmatic portfolio to include public outreach about The Meadow.