Planned Giving

Paying It Forward To Ensure Future Generations Enjoy Hoyt Arboretum As Much As They Do

Henry Noodle, a 7-year old rescue Bullmastiff mix is one lucky dog.

For the past 5 years, regardless of weather or season, he and his human companions walk the trails at Hoyt Arboretum every day. After logging more than 2,000 miles, Gillian Abendroth, her husband Jeffrey, and Henry Noodle know the forested pathways like their own backyard.

Gillian and Jeffrey met a past board member of Hoyt Arboretum Friends, who encouraged them to join the organization and enjoy the many educational programs on offer. Since then, Gillian and Jeffrey have pursued countless learning opportunities ranging from tree and wildflower identification to common birds, mycology and geomorphology.

As members of Hoyt Arboretum Friends for fifteen years, they have come to know and respect the dedicated volunteers and staff who manage and care for Hoyt Arboretum. The Abendroths regard the Arboretum as a social hub where like-minded people gather to appreciate the beauty and character of this special place.

They each have their favorite spots: Jeffrey’s is the magic Root Tree on the Creek Trail, and Gillian adores the Beech Trail because it reminds her of riding in Epping Forest, England as a child.

When Gillian retired recently, she and Jeffrey considered their personal finances and decided to include Hoyt Arboretum Friends as a beneficiary of their estate. They are now members of the organization’s Sequoia Legacy Society. When asked why they selected this organization, Gillian simply stated, "Hoyt supports us by giving us pleasure when we walk our dog, and we wanted to find a way to support them in return."

Gillian and Jeffrey understand that maintaining the trees, trails and infrastructure is costly .The Abendroths want the organization to have enough resources so visitors, members and beloved dogs will enjoy the same experience they do.

Deeply Rooted to Hoyt Arboretum

For Lyn Cameron, who moved from the east coast to Portland in the early 1990s, arboretums are part of her DNA. Her parents had deep ties to Reeves Reed Arboretum in New Jersey where she grew up and where her dad volunteered after he retired. It was also where memorial services were held for both parents and where two trees and a bench stand as a reminder of their love for the place.

Once settled in Portland, Lyn discovered Hoyt Arboretum. It was love at first sight! She took advantage of the excellent trail network for runs and hikes and attended family friendly programs with her daughter Madison.

Like her parents, Lyn understood the importance of an arboretum for the community and the way it can inspire and educate people to love trees and the nature. In turn, she wanted to have a part in its future. She decided to designate Hoyt Arboretum Friends as a beneficiary in her estate and became an early member of the Sequoia Legacy Society.

Now that Madison is grown and living in New York City, Lyn continues her family tradition by volunteering on Hoyt Arboretum Friends' Board of Directors. Lyn’s profession as a financial planner for more than three decades is a welcome addition to the finance committee. Her Board service has deepened her appreciation and trust for how adept the organization is in leveraging its funding and staff resources. She is eager to help the Arboretum grow its educational programs and provide greater access for all.

Today, Lyn is more apt to walk the trails and invite her circle of friends and colleagues to join her. Her favorite spot is the Winter Garden because of its beauty in all seasons.

A Heartfelt Estate Gift

Nancy Hebb Freeman had a big heart. Her personal pastimes were varied and aligned with her philanthropic interests. Nancy was an avid hiker and was particularly fond of the Wildwood Trail that spans Washington Park to Forest Park. She loved being in nature and captured the beauty and wonder of it in her artwork. For Nancy, nature was the slowest of the performing arts, encouraging contemplation.

Before Nancy passed away from cancer in 2016, she made sure her joyful life and deeply held values were reflected in her estate plans. After distributing gifts to heirs and key organizations, the residual funds were divided among three Portland Park organizations. Hoyt Arboretum Friends was one.

Not only was this estate gift greatly appreciated, it was a big surprise. Although Nancy was not a major donor, she was a loyal member who made modest contributions each year. Her gift of $360,000 has made a real difference to Hoyt Arboretum Friends and its larger community of members and visitors.

According to HAF's executive director Anna Goldrich, Nancy’s generous gift provides flexibility and stability to the organization. With oversight from the Board of Directors, the bequest from the Hebb Freeman estate deepened the organization’s reserve fund from six months to one year. The Board also allocated funds for short-term projects including the completion of the White Pine Trail, including interpretive signs, and improvements to the Bristlecone Pine Trail, which is part of a larger and longer-term vision with Parks partners to improve and maintain an important ADA trail at Hoyt Arboretum.

In many instances, we never know what touches someone’s heart or what is meaningful to them. For Nancy Hebb Freeman, Hoyt Arboretum touched her heart as she touches ours. She is honored and acknowledged with plaques on the Wildwood Trail and in the Bamboo Forest. Thank you Nancy, for your big heart, generosity, and love of Hoyt Arboretum.

Building A Legacy for Forest And Organizational Health

Hoyt Arboretum Friends' past executive director Peggie Schwarz knows full well how important sustainable funding is for an organization’s financial health and vision for the future. To that end, she initiated a planned giving program to help Hoyt Arboretum support its mission and build upon its unique role as a global arboretum.

The Sequoia Legacy Society, named for the world’s tallest trees that can live for thousands of years, invites donors who love and care about Hoyt Arboretum to play an important role in its future.

A Sequoia Legacy Society member herself, Peggie trusts how Hoyt Arboretum Friends uses its financial resources. She is confident the organization will invest her funds wisely and do its share to enact global conservation efforts that preserve plant biodiversity and endangered plant species.

Like the giant redwoods whose canopy nurtures the forest for epochs, Sequoia Legacy Society members will nurture Hoyt Arboretum for years to come.