Environmental Concerns

Climate change affects all of us. This committee will focus on how we as gardeners can combat climate change. Gardeners can be an important part of the solution by using sustainable practices. We will give you some examples and tell you why and how they work – hopefully you will try them and use them in your gardens and landscapes. You might even want to share the information with your community.

Linda Harris

Climate Change Chairman

Creepers, Flyers, and Swimmers! Many animals are feared, misunderstood, or unseen and thereby often unprotected. The more we learn about these animals and the relationships they have with other animal and plant communities, the more willing we will be to protect them. Knowledge is the first step in making this happen. We share this planet with some unbelievably amazing creatures! Watch our Facebook page for Creepers, Flyers, and Swimmers articles on the 14th of each month.

Mickie Marquis

Creepers, Flyers, and Swimmers

Invasive species may cause the extinction of native plants and animals, reducing biodiversity, competing with native organisms for limited resources, and altering habitats. Whether plants, insects, or rodents, having the correct tools for the battle will likely be successful. We need to identify invasives in our areas and educate the public on what not to plant and how to identify their problem.

Soil is essential to life on earth and soil conservation is crucial to environmental sustainability. Soil is not dirt, it is a living ecosystem teeming with microorganisms – bacteria, fungi, nematodes, worms, and insects. Soil puts food on our plates, purifies water, protects us against flooding and combats drought.

We can play a part in the conservation of land and soil in our home gardens:

• Add organic matter to your garden soil to increase the availability of air, water and nutrients for your plants.
• Incorporate compost into compacted soil. Avoid bare soil as rain can wash away nutrients and even soil itself.
• Cover your soil with plants and grass and use mulch around plants to protect topsoil.
• Do not plant the same plant in the same area year after year to reduce disease.
• Avoid the use of chemicals whenever possible.
• Most important of all, test your soil to know what nutrients your soil needs to avoid adding the wrong nutrients to soil.

Roxanna Champagne

Land and Soil Conservation Chairman

Find out more about this longstanding NGC program working with the National Forestry Service:

There are countless ways that garden club members can recycle and upcycle to be good stewards of our planet. Finding second, even third uses for everyday items can reduce waste, save money, stimulate creativity, and sometimes add humor to your garden club meetings, programs, and workshops. Contact this committee to share and find ideas that promote upcycling and repurposing in garden projects, indoor and outdoor crafts, flower show staging, centerpieces, design components, entertainment, and more. Exploring and sharing together is one of the many benefits of the garden club community.

Brynn Tavasci

Recycling, Upcycling, and Stewardship Chairman