JACARANDA TREE PROJECT
(An ongoing civic beautification project and Millions of Trees for the Environment - an NGC project)
The Jacaranda Tree was designated the official tree of the City of San Diego in November, 2000 through the tireless efforts of former Jacaranda chairman, Donna Derrick. To date, the number of trees planted through this program has now reached over 1200. The cost of a tree is $50.
TORREY PINES STATE RESERVE NATIVE PLANT RESTORATION PROJECT
(an ongoing conservation project)
Torrey Pines State Reserve is home to the only mainland groves of the rarest pine tree in the United States. The historic campaign to protect the pines is regarded as one of the nation's first efforts to preserve an endangered species. Preservation of the Torrey Pine tree and the delicately balanced ecosystem of native chaparral and rich floral diversity is a continuing process. The Torrey Pines Docent Society, in an attempt to help maintain the ecosystems within the Reserve, sponsors on-going non-native plant removal projects to which we lend a hand by removing invasive plants and planting natives. Plant removal outings will be planned throughout the year. Information about these outings will be posted in the newsletter and on this website. Check
Project Updates Page
for the latest information.
Becky Dembitsky - Chairman
SCHOOLYARD GARDENING GRANTS PROGRAM
(An ongoing youth-education project)
The Village Garden Club of La Jolla
Our Club
Calendar
Of Interest
CIVIC COMMUNITY BEAUTIFICATION PROJECTS BY OUR INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS
(an ongoing civic community beautification projects)
PENNY PINES
(an ongoing NCC and CGCI conservation project)
Penny Pines is a conservation program initiated in 1941. It was established to aid in the reforestation of burnt or otherwise damaged forests in conjunction with federal funds. A plantation consists of approximately 350 trees on about one acre. Penny Pines is exclusive to California and the trees being replanted are native to the area, consisting of Cedar, Fir, Redwood, Oak, and of course, various Pine varieties.
Donations are in the amount of $68 for each Penny Pines Plantation purchased. Why $68? At the start of the program in 1941, seedlings could be purchased for about one cent each. Approximately 680 seedlings were used to plant a typical acre. For $68, seedlings for ten acres could be purchased. The program is a statewide conservation project supported by garden clubs, women's clubs, men's service organizations, youth groups and schools who have all helped to keep California's forests green and growing.
Each donation of $68 will contribute toward the cost of planting seedlings on about one acre of the Cleveland National Forest. The plantation will be marked with a standard Forest Service sign that names the contributing individual or organization. You will receive a certificate from the Forest Supervisor, who will inform you of the location of the plantation at your request. If your contribution is in memory of a loved one please include the name of the person to be remembered and choose one of the following phrases:
"Friends of ......." or "Family of ......." or "Relatives of ......."
Checks are payable to: Forest Service USDA and should be sent to Laura Hoke (address in yearbook).
Laura Hoke and Margaret Herrick - Co-Chairman
VIDEO LIBRARY
(an ongoing project)
The village Garden Club now has a video library with DVD's and video cassettes of almost all of the club's monthly programs from September 2003 through May 2006. A table with a video library will be set up at each meeting where members can borrow and return the videos and DVD's. Members who missed a program or who simply want to see it again will be able to do so. The tapes also record some of our field trips to both private and public gardens. Loans are for one month.
Elizabeth Jones - Chairman
Teaching children the glories of nature is a wonderful way to inspire a love for gardening that will last for the rest of a child's life. For the fourth consecutive year, our club will promote this effort by offering grants to San Diego county elementary schools to develop or maintain a schoolyard gardening program. Each school that is selected should be involved in creating a curriculum-based program that teaches earth-friendly gardening practices, local plant and wildlife study and/or nature appreciation..
Last year, the club awarded 27 grants totaling $6,080. Over the past three years, we have awarded $11,720 to 43 different elementary schools all over San Diego County. If you are interested in applying for a Schoolyard Gardening Grant please click on the link below. Complete application instructions are provided. All applications must be received by December 15, 2007.
Funding for this project depends on the generous donations of our members, and others in our community that believe in this effort. If you are interested in helping fund the project, click below on the Gift Donation Form for information on how you can help.
A number of our members have started individual community projects. Some have done this on their own, while others have enlisted help from other garden club members and friends. Countless hours have gone into these projects and it is important to give some of these wonderful gardeners their due. More information about these projects will periodically appear in the Spindrifter and on this website.
* Learning of the need for a small toddler-friendly park in the Bird Rock/Upper Hermosa area of La Jolla, Village Garden Club member Merilyn Howard Hayes spearheaded the creation of the Via del Norte "pocket park". Many hours were spent fundraising, working with playground and landscape designers, neighbors, City Hall, etc.
* The Rose Garden at the la Jolla Methodist Church was started by the first pastor of the church after he retired. He tended this garden for several years until his health and age began to make the effort impractical. At that point, a group of church members took over the project. Members of the VGCLJ who regularly work in the garden include Susan Russell, Margie Herrick, Sandy McCreight, Karen Eckhart, Gerry Gray and Paula Todd. The group meets regularly to weed, prune, dead head, water and neaten up the garden.
* For the past five years, VGC member, Betty Vale has been a dynamo in many different projects in the San Diego area.
1. Side by side with the four gardeners at the Bishop's School in La Jolla she has worked on renovating the school's gardens. She has added several new gardens, two dedicated to past Head Mistresses and restored others, using photos in the school's yearbooks as a historical resource.
2. Betty Vale also sought and received permission to work on city owned land after city work crews disappeared and no longer maintained the city open space in her neighborhood. After an entire year of just removing undesirable plant growth, as well as trash, Betty planted this area with plants native to our area and continues to maintain the site on her own.
3. Several years ago Betty organized a fundraising project to cover costs to help create new gardens at an old house that The Episcopal Community Service had acquired for use as a residential facility. With the planting of "user-friendly" plants the gardens have served as a therapeutic project for the residents who live there. The gardens continue to thrive with the tender loving care they receive.
* Jonnie Miller Hoffmann created a cottage garden around the La Jolla Historical Society's headquarters and for a number of years has refreshed it with new plants every spring.
* Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla has a beautiful rose garden on the grounds for the enjoyment of their patients, staff and visitors. The healing effect of this peaceful garden setting is far reaching. Thank you to our members Sandy McCreight, Rhoda Lents, Coolidge Sharkey, Lee Davis and Susan Vandendriesse for tending to this garden and contributing to the well-being of the patients and community to help get them through difficult times.
* Member Becky Dembitsky helps to keep the village of Del Mar beautiful by volunteering to plant and tend to the pots and planters in the business district of town. Jill Coughlin also helps with this effort and together they keep the planters of this seaside town thriving.
* For decades, Jill Coughlin has visited and distributed radish seeds to classes in the San Diego elementary schools. Jill teaches about sowing seeds and caring for the radish sprouts. Then, in June, as many as 1,800 students bring their best radishes to the Del Mar Fair for judging. The young gardeners learn much in the process and many begin a lifelong love of gardening.
(an ongoing art and floral design project)
In February, members of the club who have personally created art pieces in various media bring a piece to display at the meeting. Then those members interested in floral design choose a piece of art as their inspiration and interpret it in flowers. These beautiful floral creations are displayed at our annual "Expressions in Art and Flowers" Show at the March meeting. This is not a judged show and all members are invited to participate.
Gail Adams and Barbara Asman - Co-Chairmen
