GARDEN CLUB AMERICA Founded in 1913 www.gcamerica.orgor a century, The Garden Club of America has been a nationally recognized leader in the fields of horticulture, conservation, flower arranging, civic improvement and historic preservation. From its inception, this nonprofit organization has had a positive impact on gardening and the environment. Our Mission The purpose of The Garden Club of America is to stimulate the knowledge and love of gardening, to share the advantages of association by means of educational meetings, conferences correspondence, and publications, and to restore, improve, and protect the quality of the and action in the fields of conservation and civic improvement. ENVIRONMENTAL GONCERNS The Garden Club of America has historically been committed to the protection of our natural resources. In the past, it has mounted campaigns to halt che proliferation of billboards and to save the California redwoods. Today, as concern increases over global warming, its focus is on preventing air, water and soil pollution, controlling toxic waste and pesticide use, preserving the land, and preventing the loss of species and habitat around the world. A Partners for Plants program has been developed that pairs local Garden Club of America clubs with state and federal land managers to monitor rare, endangered, medicinal, or invasive plants on state and federal lands. The Garden Club of America has been involved in legislative activiry since its earliest days. A delegation of Garden Club of America club members travels annually to Washington, D.C. to meet with members of Congress to address timely environmental and conservation issues. The Garden Club of America researches, writes and endorses official position papers on a variety of environmental issues. These papers are reviewed and reaffirmed annually.HORTICULTURE The Garden Club of America has been an eminent harticul- tural organization for decades, and its influence on the national gardening community continues today. It promoves education and the love of gardening through lectures, con- ferences, flower shows, demonstrations, projects and exhibies. Publications supporting horticultural education are Gardens of Colony and State in two volumes and a book series Trees That Merit Actention and Plants Thar Merit Attention, The Real Dirt, an on-line newsletter, is a horticul- tural and botanical reference for dub members. Plant propa- gation is promoted with an emphasis on growing and using native plant species, particularly as alternatives co invasive plants. The Seed Exchange and Partners for Plants are nationwide programs that encourage propagation and con- servation. An annual horticultural conference features experts who educate club members on a wide spectrum of domestic and international horticultural topics. FLowerR SHOWS Demonstrating the highest standards, Garden Club of America flower shows are competitive events designed to feature artistic and horticultural excellence. In promoting conservation of endangered and threatened plants, while prohibiting the use of invasive plants, these flower shows inform club members and the public about flower arrangement, horticulture, and conservation. Photography has been introduced into flower shows as an additional celebration of nature and plant material. Photographs are judged by the same rigorous standards as entries in other categories. Garden Club of America judges are trained to maintain established standards of excellence for flower arrangement, horticulrural and photography entries. Flower shows may also include educational exhibits on topics such as environmental issues, conservation practices, LF taf by EDUCATION & SCHOLARSHIPS The Garden Club of America promotes sound educational programs that inspire its members and the public. This is accomplished through a variety of workshops, symposia, meetings, teaching gardens, school programs, publications and newsletters. To promote learning, The Garden Club of America offers a variety of scholarships and fellowships at undergraduate and graduate levels. Opportunities are considered for study around the globe in horticulcure, botany, landscape architecture, garden history and design, environmental studies, and ecological restoration. More than 50 different scholarships and fellowships are awarded. annually in the United States and abroad. AwarRDs National medals are awarded each year to individuals or groups for outstanding achievement in areas relared to conservation, flower arranging, horticulture, botany, landscape design, historic preservation and environmental protection. Freeman Medal The Freeman Medal is awarded annually to an outstanding, often unrecognized and underutilized plant. Native North American plants are given preference. Founders Fund Established in 1934 in memory of Mrs. J. Willis Martin, the first president of The Garden Club of America, the Founders Fund provides monetary awards to help underwrite projects in the communities of clubs belonging to The Garden Club of America.GARDEN History & DESIGN r | “the Garden Club of America promotes an appreciation of America’s significant gardens. In 1987, The Garden Club of America donated over 27,000 garden slides to the Smithsonian Institution for the Archives of American Gardens. Each documented garden provides valuable information about American horticulture and garden history. The Garden Club of America continues today to enhance this unique collection. Through a combination of research and photography, educational outreach, and garden preservation awards, The Garden Club of America also encourages good design practices. PUBLICATIONS In its on-going commitment to education, The Garden Club of America creates and distributes publications ranging from small brochures on conservation and horticulture to major references on botany, horticulture, flower arranging and garden history and design. The Garden Club of America maintains a growing and regularly updated website that offers information about its programs and services. Members have access to up-to-date, on-line publications such as The Real Dirt, a horticuleure newsletter, and Con Watch, a conservation newsletter. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT Throughout the country, The Garden Club of America clubs are active within their local communities. Among projects they support are civic beautification, horticultural therapy, urban planning, community gardening, recycling and programs at local nature centers. In addition, clubs may open lectures and conferences to the public. The Garden Club of America enjoys the support af highly respected partners such as the Smithsonian Institution, The Center for Plant Conservation, The Student Conservation Association, The Royal Horticultural Society and The American Academy in Rome.ry , Founded in 1913, The Garden Club of America is a nonprofit national organization comprising 197 mem- Pe Re lode eect reset) 17,000 individuals throughout the United States, cee te eee Pe re ane rer Pree rrr ew av eee ery PUT]