PGC March 2020 planting of 100 Oregon Grape shrubs at the Nancy Russell Overlook in the Gorge (Photo with release from Brandon Davis, Cape Horn Conservancy)

“To think really locally, you have to identify with a particular locale. You have to have a sense that you belong somewhere…”

— Steve Curwood, recipient of the GCA’s 2014 Margaret Douglas Medal

 

GCA PRIORITY:CIVIC PROJECTS

The Garden Club of America’s vision is informed volunteers working for a beautiful, healthy planet.

 
The GC of Allegheny County was awarded the CGC grant for Hidden Greenways, a hands-on conservation and horticultural project that supports Pittsburgh's pedestrian infrastructure.
Photo by Thomas Guenther, Landforce Pittsburgh

Common Ground Collaborative

In 2021, the GCA created the Common Ground Collaborative grant to support GCA member clubs in building long-term relationships with diverse community groups to develop, improve, and maintain public land and programs.

Recent recipients are involved with issues concerning food supply, blighted urban landscapes, environmental cleanup, and historic cemeteries. Each receives $10,000.

Learn about these civic projects.

The Edible Plant Learning Center at the Jay Estate in Rye, New York will be an outdoor classroom that will support the study of native vegetation throughout the New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut area.
Photo by Suzanne Clary, Rye Garden Club

Founders Fund

Established in 1934, the Founders Fund provides financial support to projects proposed by GCA member clubs. The projects are designed to restore, improve, and protect the quality of the environment through educational programs and action in the fields of conservation and civic improvement.

Three grants are awarded annually to exceptional community projects. The entire GCA membership has the privilege of voting for the recipient. The winning project receives $40,000 and two runners-up each receive $10,000.

Learn about these civic projects.

Ten Portland GC members joined with their partners at Portland Parks & Recreation and sixth graders from Ron Russell Middle School for a planting event at the adjacent Earl Boyes Park. After a short demonstration, and a few false starts, the work was completed. The students can now watch the natives they planted grow into an understory within the park.
Photo by Cynthia Grant, The Portland Garden Club

Partners for Plants

Partners for Plants (P4P) facilitates hands-on projects between GCA member clubs and land managers on federal, state, local, and other significant public lands. Volunteers work with land agencies to monitor and conserve rare plants, restore native habitats, and remove invasive weeds. Each project serves as a catalyst for accomplishing important endangered plant work that in many cases would not have happened otherwise.
Photo by Janie Richardson, Shreveport Garden Study Club

Since the program's beginning in 1992, the GCA has funded 210 projects with grant funds ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 each. Over the past five years, the GCA has granted $250,000 for P4P.

Learn about these civic projects.

In June 2023, a catastrophic storm with winds from 80 to 100 mph raged across North Louisiana destroying 1,000 trees in Shreveport and throughout Caddo Parish. Many of the fallen trees had reached 75 to 100 feet in height and over 10 tons in weight. The Shreveport GSC will use its GCA grant in Ford Park to remove nine large pine tree root balls, stumps, and debris, and to plant nine native replacement trees suitable to the site.
Photo by Janie Richardson, Shreveport Garden Study Club

Restoration Initiative

The Restoration Initiative was established in 2017 in response to urgent needs caused by natural disasters such as catastrophic storms, hurricanes, floods, fires, and mudslides, and to assist member clubs working to restore public landscapes and conservation projects.

Learn about these civic projects.