WILDFLOWERS/NATIVE PLANTS

Public awareness is the key to preserving our native plant heritage.  Using native plants in civic projects and private landscape design makes sense in every way.

State Wildflower/Native Plants Chairmen serve as an educational resource.

Suggestions:

·                     Print and distribute the list of endangered species, obtainable from your state’s Natural Heritage Program.

·                     Provide information to clubs obtained from local native plant organizations.

·                     Distribute information on butterfly gardens, plantings for birds, native plants for different habitats.

·                     Select a wild flower of the year and make seeds available to garden club members.

·                     Hold a Wildflower Symposium or Workshop, perhaps in conjunction with a regional, state or district meeting. 

Grants of $500.00 are available.

·                     Initiate a project using native plants and wild flowers; apply for an Operation Wildflower Award.

Additional funds may be applied for, such as Historic Preservation and Civic Development Awards.

See separate pages for detailed application requirements for Workshops and Awards.

NGC Wildflower Grants and Awards Chairman: Sue Redden

16 Appian Way, Barrington, RI 02806

Phone: 401-245-8215

E-mail: SueRedden@verizon.net

WILDFLOWER/NATIVE PLANT SYMPOSIUM OR WORKSHOP 

Grants of up to $500.00 are available to be used towards direct expenses for an educational program on this subject.  State Garden Clubs, districts, councils and individual garden clubs may co-sponsor a symposium with state agencies, arboreta, native plant societies, or similar organizations.  Gardeners are eager for information on native plants; state highway or transportation departments need publicity and support for their planting programs.  Try to schedule the date when wild flowers are in bloom in your location.

Subjects to be covered:

1.                  One or more topics on native flora: endangered species, plants for butterflies, plants for special habitats, identification using keys, invasive species management, etc.

2.                  Public planting: state highways, rest areas, preservation of community natural areas.

3.                  Propagation of wild flowers.

4.                  Designing native plant gardens or developing nature trails

5.                  Operation Wildflower Awards information.

Exhibits: such as fresh or pressed wild flowers, charts, propagation examples, books.

Field Trip: Need not be a long excursion. Select a facility for the meeting where there are native plantings on the grounds, or a nearby nature trail.

To Apply:

1.                  At least two months in advance send two copies of the tentative program and a copy of the proposed budget to this chairman.

2.                  If approved, half of the grant requested will be sent by NGC.

3.                  At the conclusion of the workshop, within two months, send a short report, including a financial statement and the number of people in attendance, two copies of the final program, and any publicity.

Remaining funds will be sent if merited according to the scale of points:

Scale of Points

        Program                                             40

        Field trip                                             25

        Exhibits                                              10

        Attendance                                        15

        Participation of other groups              5

        Report                                                  5

                                             Total            100

NGC Wildflower Awards and Grants Chairman:

Sue Redden, 16 Appian Way, Barrington, RI 02806-1948

Phone: 401-245-8215 E-mail: SueRedden@verizon.net