Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island is a space unlike any other. A unique combination of landscaped gardens, meadows, forests and wildlife habitats, its 150 acres together create a place of beauty, discovery, creativity and well-being. It’s a destination to enjoy with others, and a year-round space to quiet our minds and rejuvenate our souls.

For each visitor, and at each visit, the experience is different.

“Our visitors connect with the grounds and the experience in a very personal way,” reflects Andrea Mercado, Guest Services and Shop Manager at Bloedel Reserve.

Often Mercado hears from people visiting for the first time. “They say, ‘I had no idea this was such an amazing experience.’ They connect with us, and they connect because they’ve been transformed by these 150 acres.”

For many of those visitors, membership is a tangible way to support the work the Bloedel Reserve undertakes every day. “They’re our life-force,” Mercado says, noting that in addition to financial contributions, members share word about the Reserve with others, and often volunteer, too.

But rewards go both ways, and membership also brings a variety of privileges.

On June 10, the Bloedel Reserve celebrates Member Day, a twice-yearly celebration with an all-ages, full day of events, including garden tours, a plant sale, birdwatching, kids’ scavenger hunts, workshops, yoga and of course, the chance to chat with the grounds team, staff and volunteers and learn more about plants!

On June 10, the Bloedel Reserve celebrates Member Day, a twice-yearly celebration with an all-ages, full day of events. Erin Fisher photo

Rewards beyond Member Days

Memberships begin at just $85 for an individual annual membership, with options for couples, friends and families. The Reserve’s Canopy of Support levels begin at $300 and offer additional benefits, including early invitations to workshops, tours and events, and guest passes to share with friends and family.

This additional donation helps to sustain the mission and operations of Bloedel Reserve for our community, reflects Communications Manager, Etta Lilienthal.

Members also enjoy the opportunity to share the Reserve with others. “Our members know their guests will have a wonderful experience every time they visit, no matter the season,” Mercado says.

Popular features for all Bloedel Reserve members include the monthly summer sunset walks, starting on May 12 and continuing through September – a special treat for many. “The Reserve is a very different place in the evening; it’s just calmer,” Mercado notes.

Members also enjoy free year-round admission, members-only time slots, and discounts on artisan-crafted jewelry, nature books, garden tools, creative toys and more in The Shop. To expand your garden explorations even further, members enjoy reciprocal admissions and benefits at gardens across North America through the American Horticultural Society.

To learn more and become a Bloedel Reserve member today, visit bloedelreserve.org/membership