June 6 through 12 is “National Garden Week” sponsored by National Garden Clubs.
National Garden Clubs is an organization that sponsors youth programs and contests such as a high school distinguished service award, essay and poetry contests, grants such as the Youth Pollinator Gardens Grant and the Wildflower Education Grant, and college scholarships, all to encourage a sense of stewardship and a love of gardening, conservation and sustainability. Participation in programs is encouraged at local, state and national levels.
Sustainable gardening is a focus of Garden Clubs, and the National Garden Clubs’ website features information on community gardens, water use and conservation through Xeriscaping (mindful and careful utilization of water), gardening to support and nurture local ecosystems for plants and animals, and a comprehensive primer on organic gardening practices.
Although a large, national organization, Garden Clubs can be found on a local and state level. Nauset Garden Club is located right here in Orleans, and there are several chapters on the Cape. Garden Clubs’ focus on education and youth engagement with an eye towards conservation and sustainability is definitely a valuable aspect of their overall organization and outreach.
The National Garden Week proclamation is a fun read and mentions several important aspects of gardening including nurturing the beauty and resources of the earth, advocating ecology, and enjoying the benefits of gardening.
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