Recently a number of thefts have occurred at Lake Wilderness Arboretum, resulting in the loss of garden equipment.

Property Manager Bob Wahlberg and members of the Lake Wilderness Arboretum Foundation are working with the Maple Valley Police, the Parks and Recreation department and local scrap dealers to discourage theft in the future and to reclaim Arboretum property, if possible.

More security cameras are being installed on the grounds and a few of the existing cameras are being relocated for a complete monitoring of all maintenance areas, nursery structures and the Arboretum office. In addition, all combinations on gate locks have been changed.

Wahlberg says that stored images from the security cameras – at times, numbering in the thousands — are routinely monitored by himself or others on the Arboretum staff. To report any suspicious behavior, please contact the Arboretum or the Maple Valley Police.

The next event is the Holiday Lights Volunteer Day, Saturday Nov. 30.

Visit LakeWildernessArboretum.org, email info@lakewildernessarboretum.org or call 253-293-5103 to volunteer, donate or become a member.