Volunteer Spotlight: Katy Evans, Conservatory cheerleader

The board president of the W.W. Seymour Conservatory Foundation doesn’t just love plants – she’s passionate about how they can help build a just, caring community.

Tacoma, WA: Katy Evans is a self-admitted fan of the Seymour Conservatory – and its horticultural team. But then, as volunteer board president of the Conservatory Foundation, that’s not a big surprise. A writer, strategist and leader who currently serves as deputy director of the youth arts nonprofit Hilltop Artists, Evans is an Evergreen State College alum who’s lived in Tacoma since 1998. Dedicated to justice, curiosity and collaboration, she has also worked as a Parks Tacoma staff member, and supports many community events. Oh, and she just began cohosting the We Art Tacoma arts podcast as well.

You’d think with all that on her plate, Evans wouldn’t have the time to chair the fundraising arm of a 110-year-old Victorian conservatory – a job that recently included raising funds for a major renovation to this historical gem that’s one of only three such on the West Coast. But chatting with her in front of the new living plant wall spilling out with lush purples and greens, it’s obvious that Evans has a passion for how connecting with plants can transform human lives – by offering a welcoming, deeply calming space, and by using the beauty and wonder of the plant world to uplift those who have been historically marginalized.

We asked Evans about how she came to volunteer for the Seymour Conservatory, her favorite plants and why everyone should become a member if they can.

Seymour Foundation board president Katy Evans in the Conservatory.

Tell us how you got started at the W.W. Seymour Conservatory Foundation.

Katy Evans: Around 12 years ago I worked for five years as a Parks Tacoma staff member, writing grants and running the staff giving campaign. That’s when I got to work with longtime horticulturalist Tyra Shenaurlt, and I was so impressed by what she did both for the Conservatory and the community. I went on to other jobs, and in 2016 while I was deputy director at The Grand Cinema I became involved with the Conservatory Foundation. I have always loved Tacoma’s parks, and very much wanted to keep working to support them!

At the time there were many folks who’d been there since the Foundation’s beginning in the 1990s, so we were just starting to work towards getting new people and a fresh direction.

Now I’ve been president for about three years. We just brought on three new members – one is is actually the great-great-granddaughter of (Conservatory founder) W.W. Seymour! – and we’re recruiting a couple more.

Has the Foundation changed since you started?

KE: The pandemic helped us get to the point of revisioning. We’re really looking at our strategy and planning now. Fundraising has been a learning process, and now partnering with the Greater Parks Tacoma Foundation we feel we know better how to support. It’s really exciting.

We’re identifying our new relationship with the community, like building connections with the Point Defiance garden societies, the Master Gardeners, new plant shops around town and so on.

What keeps you volunteering at the Conservatory?

KE: Well, I love plants! But it’s more than that. I love what Tyra is doing with the community to build access, connection and excitement. One example is how she and her team have been partnering with Parable, the community book, plant and art space on McKinley Avenue, because that’s a part of the city that doesn’t get to interact much with the Conservatory. I love that partnership – we can’t move this big conservatory into the community, but we can bring ourselves there and welcome people here.

Conservatory horticulturalist Tyra Shenaurlt during the building’s renovation in spring 2022.

Tyra is my hero, with the work she does to center those who have been traditionally marginalized. She’s making it clear to the community that the plant world is for all of us, and it’s up to us to protect and support it.

Justice is at the forefront here, and that’s the Tacoma I want to see – a Tacoma that embraces those who’ve been traditionally erased. A safe, brave space where we take care of and hear each other. That’s the only way we’re going to save the world!

Also, folks are looking for connection with their community, and the Conservatory is a great space to do that. The reopening in May after the renovation was just incredible! The line stretched down the block, and three out of every five people I spoke to had never been in here. That’s powerful.

What’s your favorite plant? Do you have one, or is it like choosing a favorite child?

KE: Obviously, the living wall is amazing. I love having been able to see it installed, with all those little pockets and baby plants, and now look at it – you can’t even see the mesh fabric, it’s grown so much! It’s just beautiful. And I love the carnivorous plant bog, that’s also really grown since it was first installed in spring. Those plants are so unique and different, and so happy there! I love the big staghorn fern hanging from the ceiling in the north wing, all those gorgeous violet berries on the Medinilla myriantha, and the little golden frogs – this is the first time I’ve actually spotted them, just now.

But my true favorite has always been the giant agave. Maybe it’s because my partner used to run a mezcal bar, I don’t know – but I just love the size and shape. And stroking its tips – they’re a bit like fingers.

How can people join you at the Foundation?

KE: They can become a member! All member donations go to support programming and small capital needs. And while the Conservatory always has free admission, there are definite perks to being a member, like discounts, a newsletter, secret parties – well, not really secret but they’re pretty cool.

One of the biggest perks if you travel is that by being a Conservatory Foundation member, you get instant reciprocal access (either free or discounted) to hundreds of other botanical gardens and arboreta around the country. It’s an incredible deal. Plus you also get that great feeling when you’ve helped strengthen something in our community.

VISIT: The Seymour Conservatory is free to the public and open 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday at 316 S G St, Tacoma. Information: metroparkstacoma.org/w-w-seymour-conservatory/

BECOME A MEMBER: Annual membership has many perks and supports the Conservatory and its work. Levels range from $35-$500. Learn more at metroparkstacoma.org/conservatory-membership/