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EnglishWhat is the Washington Koi & Water Garden Society?
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The Washington Koi & Water Garden Society (WK & WGS) is a non-profit hobbyist organization for koi keepers and water garden enthusiasts, based on the information published on washingtonkoi.org. It is a community built around shared interest in koi—described on the site as "living jewels"—and in ponds more broadly. You do not need to keep koi to take part: the site notes that planted ponds, goldfish ponds, or even pondless waterfalls are all welcome points of interest for members.
Who it is for
The organization describes itself as "a group of koi keepers and water garden fanciers." Its stated focus is koi, but the site explicitly says koi ownership is not a requirement to enjoy ponds or to be part of the community. That makes it relevant if you are:
- Keeping koi and looking for other keepers to compare notes with
- Maintaining a water garden, goldfish pond, or pondless waterfall
- Considering building a koi pond and wanting information before starting
On that last point, the site offers a direct recommendation: if you are even thinking about constructing a koi pond, join a koi club such as this one and gather as much information as possible before "taking that first shovelful of dirt."
What the organization does
WK & WGS runs a mix of in-person and online activities. According to the site, these include:
- Zoom meetings — remote get-togethers for members
- Pond tours — visiting members' ponds
- Field trips
- Summer outdoor meetings, including an event called Koi Fest
The site also notes historical activity: before the Covid outbreak, the society put on koi shows for 28 years. That is a past activity rather than a current listing, so anyone interested in shows should confirm current plans directly.
Educational programming
During membership meetings, the society says it hosts educational programs covering topics such as:
- Koi health
- Pond construction
- Koi varieties
- Aquatic plants
- Nutrition
- Filtration
- Water quality
An example from the site's upcoming events: an August 23 gathering at 2 p.m. called "Sundaes on Sunday," hosted at Barb and Lee Sundgren's pond and garden, featuring a talk on Rotary Drum Filters (RDFs) by Derek Boucher of Play It Koi—covering what they are, how they work, and why a keeper might want one.
Membership benefits
The site lists a monthly newsletter with relevant articles as a member benefit, alongside the educational programs and the social and informational events above. The newsletter is also the channel for practical details—for instance, members are directed to check the August newsletter for directions to the Sundgren event.
Affiliations
WK & WGS states that it is affiliated with two organizations:
| Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|
| Pacific Northwest Koi Clubs Association | Regional koi club association |
| Koi Organisation International | International koi organization |
It also describes itself as a non-profit hobbyist organization, with an Executive Board that meets regularly to plan activities for members.
How to get involved
The site gives a concrete route for non-members interested in attending an event. For the "Sundaes on Sunday" gathering, non-members who would like to come are asked to call 206-949-2402 and let Nancy Moore, Program Chair, know. Members are asked to RSVP so the hosts can plan how much ice cream and toppings to have.
If you want to attend something, the practical steps are:
- Check the site's upcoming events and important news section for the current schedule.
- If you are a member, RSVP through the channel noted for that event and check your newsletter for logistics such as directions.
- If you are not a member and want to attend, contact the program chair at the number listed for that event.
The site does not publish membership pricing, a sign-up form, or login requirements in the material available here, so those details would need to be confirmed with the organization directly.