Conservation Notes

Conservation Committee/ Flower Design Committee joint event:

“Everything Old is New: Sticks, Stones, Frogs and More for Flower Design” Tuesday, May 11, 12:30 to 2:30 pm. Lisa Evarts of Hot Petunia Fine Flowers will demonstrate 6 arrangements using reuseable mechanics. These will be auctioned off. Beverages and desserts will be served. Reservations and a small fee will be required. Garden club members in CT and GCA RI clubs will be invited to attend and bring friends.

Report on GCA National Affairs and Legislation (NAL) meeting:

I enjoyed being the GCNH’s representative to this meeting once again. GCA has a significant influence on Congress regarding environmental matters, and, I hope you will read my full report at

http://web.me.com/mikeyuh/GCA_NAL_2010 For access, enter the following:

User Name: gcnh

Password: nal2010

As a bonus, the report include photos I took of the orchid show at the US Botanic Garden Conservatory after my duties were over – a very welcome treat.

This year, Connecticut representatives focused their lobbying on climate change (more than ever the issue is coupled with energy independence and green job creation); Senate approval of the Law of the Sea Treaty; full funding of environmental programs, especially the Land and Water Conservation Fund; restoring and making permanent the enhanced tax deduction for donations of conservation easements; and banning mountain top mining. With Representative DeLauro’s aide we also emphasized the need to ensure that food safety regulations needed to protect food produced by large farm facilities don’t impose unnecessary costs and regulations on small and mid-sized farms.

EVENTS OF INTEREST:

The Sasqua Garden Club is hosting “Go Native” on April 10, from 8:30am to 3:30 pm at the Roger Ludlowe Middle School, 689 Unquowa Road, Fairfield, CT, featuring authors Doug Tallamy and William Cullina on planting native plants. Tickets, including lunch, are $65 per person. Purchase through their website: www.sasqua.org, or by mailing a check payable to Sasqua Garden Club, 912 Hulls Farm Road, Southport, CT, 06890

In celebration of its 95th year of service to the community, The Middletown Garden Club proudly presents "Connecticut Barns and Farms: Their Beauty and Their Bounty" (A Flower Show Interpreting Art) April 15 and 16. On Friday April 16 it is open to the public from 10-2. The event will be at the Wesleyan Hills Barn on Long Hill Rd. off of Route 17 from New Haven. The preview party is Thursday April 15. The Artist Circle includes champagne reception, preview party, listing in program at $125 per person. Benefactor includes preview party and listing in program, $100 a person. Sponsor includes preview party and listing in program, $75 per person. Friend includes preview party, $50 per person. There will be a Silent Auction, ranging from a private CT River cruise to a week-end in New York. RSVP for Thursday April 15 by April 1 to Mrs. Joan Stone, 707 Ridgewood Rd., Middletown, Ct. 06457 (Phone: 860 632 0880)

By Mikey Hirschoff, Chair, Conservation Committee

Please send any information you think should be made available to GCNH members in this column to mhirschoff@comcast.net, for possible inclusion.