On May, 13, 2024, four provisionals and their sponsors met at the Siena Francis House, “Nebraska’s largest provider of services to individuals experiencing homelessness,” to help the residents plant a vegetable garden. Ann A., Linda L., Nancy H., and Cyndee L. planned and coordinated the event. Even though the weather was a bit damp, everyone agreed that it was a rewarding experience teaching others the how to’s of vegetable gardening. and, who knows a few seeds may have been planted in other people’s lives that may lead to a future vocation or avocation!

President Chris W. and Delegate Paula A. represented the LGC at the GCA Annual Conference in Hartford, CT, April 26-28, 2024. “Beyond the Green” was the theme. Almost 600 people (99% women) were in attendance. 

They attended a lecture about Connecticut native Frederick Law Olmsted’s work in his home state—which fortuitously took place on what would have been his 202nd birthday!  They then boarded busses to visit Wickham Park, an estate that was built in 1896. The landscape was designed by Frederick Law Olmstead. It was donated to the city in 1960. It encompasses over 280 acres in East Hartford. They also toured the University of Connecticut Botanical Conservatory which contains one of the most diverse living plant collections at a public academic institution in the US. That evening, over 250 conference attendees walked five blocks through downtown Hartford to the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art (it was quite a sight) where dinner was served. We were seated with our fellow zone reps.

Attendees participated in a Saturday morning business meeting led by GCA President Marilyn Donahue. There they heard from GCA Scholar Charly Frisk who spoke about “How Seed Diversity Can Protect Our Food as the World Warms.” They also met the 2024 GCA Honorary Members – Southeastern Grasslands Institute Director, Dwayne Estes; San Diego Botanic Garden President, Ari Novy; ethnobotanist and Emory University professor, Cassandra Leah Quave; and Denver Botanical Garden CEO, Brian Vogt. Quave’s message that there is “a vast untapped world of discovery out there,” but that “change doesn’t happen overnight” echoed much of what these medalists said about their longstanding commitment to the environment. 

The judged flower show was a big part of the conference. The flower arrangements, and displays were fabulous. I have no idea how the judging works, but it was a wonderful exhibit of the wonders of nature. 

Ten new National Medalists were announced at Saturday night’s Awards Dinner and Ceremony. This diverse group included scholar Sir Peter Crane, advocate Lisa W. Ott, plant curator Rick Darke, regenerative ocean farming pioneer Bren Smith, advocate and filmmaker Tom Campion, preservationist Warrie Price, environmental philanthropist Gilbert Butler, advocate and former GCA President Anne “Dede” Neal Petri, and landscape architect David A. Rubin.          I found the conference was flawlessly run. The meetings started and ended in a timely manner, the speeches were succinct, and the events well-planned. 

The LGC Annual Meeting Luncheon was held May 21, 2024, at Happy Hollow Country Club. Members gathered to celebrate the year end and to honor award winners. Mr. Ennis Anderson, the new Chief Executive officer of Lauritzen Gardens was the featured speaker.

Anne Hall who serves on the GCA scholarship committee returned from NYC recently to report on the committee’s work.

From the GCA Scholarship Committee:

Thanks to the careful management of the GCA’s scholarship endowment funds and the generosity of GCA members, clubs, and friends, the Scholarship Committee will support advanced studies for undergraduate, graduate, and post graduate students whose unique passions align with the GCA’s mission to restore, improve, and protect the quality of the environment. A record $459,000 will be awarded this year to a record 99 scholars through our 29 scholarships in areas including desert studies, native plants, medicinal botany, and urban forestry. 

April is Native Plant Month!  The Loveland Garden Club, along with the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum, were recognized on Monday, March 18, 2024 by Governor Pillen with a proclamation that is part of a national effort by the Garden Club of America to increase awareness of the important role native plants play in our ecosystems. 

The Garden Club of America and its local chapter, the Loveland Garden Club, support federal, state and local efforts which: 

*Promote awareness and conservation of native species, specifically those listed as rare, endangered or threatened.

*Encourage landowners to increase native habitat through replacement of lawn areas with native plant ecosystems.

*Support measures to prevent and limit ecosystem damage.

*Encourage public land-use policies that incorporate native plants, control invasive plants, discourage the use of toxic pesticides, leading to the preservation and restoration of healthy ecosystems.

*Sustain and increase funding for conservation and preservation as well as support educational programs to expand awareness of the need to protect native plants, promoting their use.

Members met Feb. 27, 2024 at Mary Pat’s home to watch the videos from the GCA Garden History and Design Conference.

Beautiful seasonal candle lantern decorations were created by members for their homes. Thanks to the Power Arranging Committee!