Conservation Garden gets new caretaker

A cute duck pond and the bunch of critters living there are getting a new human caretaker.

For nine years Sheryl Christenson has lovingly cared for the tortoises, fish and geese living at the Yuma Conservation Garden. Christenson has also taken hundreds of schoolchildren under her motherly wing, giving tours and and sharing all the educational opportunities at the garden.

But there's been someone new giving the 74-year-old tortoise, Baloo, his favorite snack these days.

Christenson is retiring from her post and handing the reins over the Robert Rush. Christenson says her beloved garden is going into really good hands, but she's still having a hard time imagining the garden not being part of her daily routine.

"I'm having a hard time letting go. Do I want the public to know how hard it is for me to retire?" she said, chuckling. "The Yuma Conservation Garden has really been my passion. I have loved working with the public, working with the children, teachers and volunteers."

Then Christenson thought for a moment and chuckled even more.

"But I certainly won't miss lifting the 50-pound bags of grain!"

The Yuma Conservation Garden is located near the corner of 32nd Street and Pacific Avenue.

The garden features a pond, picnic area, three miles of paths, bird watching area and a display of antique farm equipment. For educational purposes, the garden also boasts an outdoor classroom and amphitheater. Lesson plans are also available for teachers.

"We're the best-kept secret in town!" Christenson said proudly. "There really is a lot to offer out here."

Four members of the Yuma County Fair Board created what they hoped would become a botanical garden back in the 1950s. The area began being used as an educational center 20 years by the Laguna National Resource Conservation District and the Yuma National Resource Conservation District.

The garden is the site of a popular event called Tea with the Tortoise.

Admission to the Yuma Conservation Garden is free. Members of the public can drop by at certain hours, but schools and other groups needing tours are asked to make reservations. The garden is open to the public during the winter months. For more information, call 317-1935 or go online to YumaConservationGarden.org.

During Christenson's time, an endowment has been created with the Yuma Community Foundation, and the number of classes visiting the garden has tripled.

"The highest was 88 classes in one season, from October through May," Christenson said. "That's a lot of kids!"

Christenson's job with the conservation garden is meant to be part-time, but she joked it's sometimes felt like a 24/7 adventure.

"There is always something needing to be fed. Plus you want to be accessible to schools that want to come and be open on the weekends.

"I always have wanted to make a difference for the community. I have been given many blessings and this has been my opportunity to make a difference. And I think I am leaving this place better off than when I started."

**Take a slideshow tour of the garden at http://www.yumasun.com/sections/slideshow/?id=614850