Conservation
Conservation Committee Mission Statement
Zone VIII priorities
- Designate conservation priorities
- Examine environmental policy issues
- Promote GCA Position Papers
- Advocate the policy decisions of conservation and National Legislative issues through overt public citizen action
"Conservation Conversations" # 2
Robert F Hopper received a bachelor's degree in Plant Sciences from Cornell University and a master's degree in Landscape Architecture from Harvard University. A registered landscape architect, he has worked in both the private and public sectors of South Florida. He is an enthusiastic supporter of the Florida Native Plant Society and serves on the advisory board of the South Florida Environmental Art Project. An excellent gardener and native of Florida, he is Senior Environmental Analyst with the South Florida Water Management District.
We are so lucky to have Rob join us for an illustrated talk on MONDAY morning , APRIL 26, at 10:00AM, in the library to discuss "Conservation Gardening!" (please check Calendar for additional info)
- Beth Dowdle
(click on picture to go to website)
"Conservation Conversations" # 1
Clay Henderson, former President of Florida Audubon, is a Florida author, historian and naturalist. A legendary storyteller with the easy style of an old friend, Clay gave us an illustrated talk (his pictures are beautiful) about conservation in Florida as well as briefing us on the current issues.
You many remember the story of Hugo, the Great Blue Heron, that returns to Clay's dock year after year. Like Hugo, Clay travels the world but always returns home to New Smyrna Beach, Florida.
- Beth Dowdle
Hugo
By Clay Henderson
I looked out the window at first light this morning through blowing rain and poor visibility, but there he was. The forces of nature are so strong and we can't begin to comprehend them. What makes a Great Blue Heron pick up from where he lives in the summer and fly through a blowing gale to arrive at the same spot at the same time each year? We've been watching our friend Hugo since the late 80's. He arrives on Oct 1st and lives in and around our dock until March 1st. He's very much part of our neighborhood if not our family. We call him Hugo because he was a week late in 1989, so we blamed it on the hurricane and the name stuck. He's been delayed by other hurricanes in the past. I looked for him yesterday and last night but it was just blowing like heck. But there he was this morning gliding across the water. I watched him after he came in for a landing. Every year he looks a little older and more ragged, but don't we all? He's over there preening as we speak….preening in a full gale. Why bother?
While I was sitting on the porch at 3am, I heard a heron croaking away out front. At sunset tonight, saw Hugo on the point just across from the house. Ahh...the rhythms of nature.
(Hugo returned this year on October 3.)
Sharing in a fun way about TREES and CARBON FOOTPRINTS:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sR_RI-_c9U
CONSERVATION COMMITTEE NEWS
THE GARDEN CLUB OF PALM BEACH IS A..............
FOUNDERS FUND AWARD FINALIST 2009 !!!!
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Environmental Steward
RESTORATION
OF A
NATIVE FIELD HABITAT
At-risk, lower socio-economic children attending the first "green" school in our county will participate in reintroducing native wildflowers and grasses to create a habital for species indigineous to Florida, especially the threatened gopher tortoise. A unique age related after-school curriculum of field projects, organization of school wide planting days, and a data base to monitor plant success will be developed. Our goal is to create green students, green families and green communities.
OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH PINE JOG
The Garden Club of Palm Beach was founded by Elizabeth Donnell Kay in 1928. Eighteen years later in 1946, Elizabeth and her husband Alfred purchased 140 acres of land in West Palm Beach which had been originally owned by Henry Flagler. Initially, the Kays grew flowers and vegetables on their property. After a few years the civic-minded Kays saw that the local crime rate was rising and they believed that young people might be less inclined to commit acts of vandalism if they could be awakened to the beauty of the natural world. Elizabeth and Alfred Kay consulted with Russel Mason, Executive Director of the Florida Audubon Society to see if their property had potential as a wildlife sanctuary To this end the Kays founded the Pine Jog Conservation Center in 1960. This facility offered environmental education programs to schoolchildren during the day and workshops for teachers in the evening. Trails were created through the pine forests for field excursions.
In 1996 another Garden Club member and visionary, Ann Curie Kunkel, bequeathed a portion of her estate to Pine Jog Conservation Center. According to Pat Welch, Executive Director of Pine Jog Environmental Education Center (formerly known as Pine Jog Conservation Center), “Ann believed that children hold the key to saving Florida’s natural treasures.”
PRESENTLY, Pine Jog Environmental Education Center is a unit of Florida Atlantic University College of Education. In 2006 Pine Jog, in leased 15 acres to the Palm Beach County School District for the construction of a “green” elementary school which opened its doors September 2008. The “green” elements of the buildings and the natural areas of Pine Jog are integral part of the school curriculum. In 2008 The Palm Beach County School District has finished construction on a new “green” administrative and Environmental Center for Pine Jog. With an environmental and science focus, Pine Jog Elementary School and Pine Jog Environmental Education Center have coordinated with the academic programs and resources of FAU to provide professional development for educators. Pine Jog offers a masters degree in Environmental Education. The services and programs and FAU’s College of Education have already been integrated into the daily activities at Pine Jog and Pine Jog operates the after school program.
Two members of the Garden Club of Palm Beach serve as board members of Pine Jog Environmental Education Center and our club we hold our annual fall meeting at Pine Jog. The Garden Club Palm Beach has been a supporter of Pine Jog since its inception. Currently, our Club provides funding for the graduate program.
-text by Jean Matthews