St. George's Garden Club Conservation Committee

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This committee keeps the club informed of legislative and conservation issues including those before local and national legislatures. 

Members: Sana Brooks (Chair), Daphne Bahl, Mimi Cooper, Alice Dearing, Barbie Hart, Jen Paternotte, Landon Stonesifer.

The GCA website has extensive resources on the nationwide Native Plant Month Initiative, including a very helpful video on how to maximize the impact of Native Plant Month.  The video includes examples of how other States’ have gotten the word out on the importance of native plants to biodiversity and healthy ecosystems.

Now is a great time to begin thinking about how Zone VI can celebrate Native Plant Month in Maryland this year.  To establish a perennial Native Plant Month, Mary Ellen Pierce (State Coordinator) has been working with Delegate Guyton, who has introduced a bill (HB 368) designating May as Native Plant Month.  Mary Ellen is also pursuing a proclamation from Governor Moore to recognize Native Plant Month this year in May.

The 2025 NAL Conference will be held on Sunday March 23 through Wednesday, March 26, 2025 in Washington, D.C. 

The 2025 virtual Advocacy Training Workshop will be held on Thursday, March 20, 2025 from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm ET. More info....

The GCA has been involved in advocacy since its earliest days. The first Position Papers were created in 1989 to support our advocacy by providing a cohesive and consistent message that can be articulated by the member clubs and GCA national committees. Jointly produced by the GCA's National Affairs & Legislation and Conservation Committees, and approved by the GCA’s Executive Board, the Position Papers summarize the issues that are priorities to the GCA. They are created with great care, updated every two years and contain specific core provisions which the GCA wishes to see embodied in any piece of legislation. More info....