Bush's Pasture Park is home to an amazing collection of plants and designed landscapes, both historic and contemporary. In the face of massive budget cuts since 1980, it is critical that the City of Salem receive support in the stewardship of this valuable community asset. Friends of Bush Gardens and its predecessor, The Bush Conservatory Gardeners, have been providing just such support since 1979 by preserving and enhancing the gardens and conservatory in Bush’s Pasture Park.

The Friends Volunteer Group is built on a love of gardening, a spirit of community service, and a sense of camaraderie. The Tuesday Morning Gardeners learn about plants and garden design, have fun while weeding, digging, planting and pruning with other like-minded folks, and at the same time help beautify this "gem" of an urban park. The Steering Committee members take on special projects, such as the enhancement of the historic rose gardens or the identification and labeling of the Lord & Schryver Flowering Tree Collection.

Our latest endeavor, the largest project ever undertaken by Friends of Bush Gardens, is to save the Bush Conservatory from the ravages of time. Because of the lack of public funds, The Friends have taken responsibility to restore this public treasure, part of the Bush Victorian farm complex listed on the National Register of Historic Places.