ABOUT FORT LAUDERDALE GARDEN CLUB, INC.: Founded in 1927, to help restore the natural beauty of Fort Lauderdale after a devastating hurricane destroyed the city’s tree canopy, the history of Fort Lauderdale Garden Club, Inc. is an enduring record of civic achievements and commitment to beautifying the Fort Lauderdale landscape. In 1933, Fort Lauderdale Garden Club, Inc. was instrumental in the planting the royal palms that grace Las Olas Boulevard, and the planting of hundreds of subtropical flowering trees in what is now downtown Fort Lauderdale. Some of these trees have since been listed in the American Forests Champion Trees national register as representing the oldest and biggest tree of its species on record. Other notable early projects include landscaping Port Everglades with salt and wind tolerant trees in 1933, planting 1,600 plants and shrubs along Federal Highway in 1954, donating 100 trees to help restore Hugh Taylor Birch State Park after Hurricane Cleo in 1964, initiating the garden therapy program at South Florida State Hospital in 1965, and in 1976, the club dedicated The Annie Beck Park of Flowering Trees, which is still enjoyed by all who travel along Victoria Park Road. After Hurricane Wilma in 2006, Fort Lauderdale Garden Club, Inc. planted trees and restored the gardens in George English Park and Sunland Park Elementary School. To this day, Fort Lauderdale Garden Club, Inc. maintains the Sensory Garden at the Lighthouse for the Blind since its installat ... view more »
ABOUT FORT LAUDERDALE GARDEN CLUB, INC.: Founded in 1927, to help restore the natural beauty of Fort Lauderdale after a devastating hurricane destroyed the city’s tree canopy, the history of Fort Lauderdale Garden Club, Inc. is an enduring record of civic achievements and commitment to beautifying the Fort Lauderdale landscape. In 1933, Fort Lauderdale Garden Club, Inc. was instrumental in the planting the royal palms that grace Las Olas Boulevard, and the planting of hundreds of subtropical flowering trees in what is now downtown Fort Lauderdale. Some of these trees have since been listed in the American Forests Champion Trees national register as representing the oldest and biggest tree of its species on record. Other notable early projects include landscaping Port Everglades with salt and wind tolerant trees in 1933, planting 1,600 plants and shrubs along Federal Highway in 1954, donating 100 trees to help restore Hugh Taylor Birch State Park after Hurricane Cleo in 1964, initiating the garden therapy program at South Florida State Hospital in 1965, and in 1976, the club dedicated The Annie Beck Park of Flowering Trees, which is still enjoyed by all who travel along Victoria Park Road. After Hurricane Wilma in 2006, Fort Lauderdale Garden Club, Inc. planted trees and restored the gardens in George English Park and Sunland Park Elementary School. To this day, Fort Lauderdale Garden Club, Inc. maintains the Sensory Garden at the Lighthouse for the Blind since its installation in 1994; partners with Habitat for Humanity to landscape yards for families in need, and preserves the rose garden at the historic Stranahan House, among many other projects. Fort Lauderdale Garden Club, Inc. continues today to support its mission to stimulate the love of gardening, mentor young gardeners, and promote the beautification of public places with educational programs and workshops, and a commitment to local civic projects. Youth Gardening Program—Since 1947, in collaboration with Broward County Public Schools, parochial and private schools, and local children’s clubs and organizations, Fort Lauderdale Garden Club, Inc. has provided students with hands-on horticultural, environmental and floral design workshops and classes. Youngsters in grades pre-kindergarten through high school, are encouraged to exhibit the plants they’ve grown; the floral arrangements they’ve made; and the garden journals they’ve written in annual youth flower shows. In 2016, Fort Lauderdale Garden Club, Inc. proudly presented “Tropical Treasures” A Standard Youth Flower Show which included 692 exhibits. Fort Lauderdale Garden Club, Inc. awards many children who participate in our Youth Gardening Program with camperships to Wekiva Youth Camp, a residential nature camp in Wekiwa Springs State Park every summer. Sponsored by Florida Federation of Garden Clubs. Inc. and fully accredited by the American Camp Association, Camp Wekiva opens the doors for many boys and girls to play, explore and interact with the natural world. Fort Lauderdale Garden Club, Inc. awarded 40 young flower show exhibitors with camperships in 2016. Fort Lauderdale Garden Club, Inc. also awards an environmental studies scholarship to S.E.E.K. (Save the Earth’s Environment through Knowledge) to a qualifying high school student every year. Sponsored by Florida Federation of Garden Clubs. Inc., S.E.E.K. is a week-long environmental conference offering hands-on workshops and field experience with environmental scientists and conservation experts. General Meetings—The public is always welcome to attend Fort Lauderdale Garden Club, Inc. general meetings, held at 10:00 a.m. on the second Friday of the month, October through May, at the Glenn F. Bates Garden Center in Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, 3109 East Sunrise Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33304. Knowledgeable speakers present educational and entertaining programs of interest to south Florida gardeners and conservationists each month. Fort Lauderdale Garden Club, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
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