The President's Project, Sustaining Maryland – Grants for Garden Clubs, is to encourage garden clubs affiliated with FGCMD to find ways to change the negative impact we have had on the environment in air and water pollution, and loss of bird, animal, and insect populations. Garden clubs can apply for funds to support projects that will advance sustainability in our communities, creating a healthier environment for future generations.
Serving as a watchdog, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation fights for effective, science-based solutions to the pollution degrading the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers and streams. Their motto, Save the Bay, is a regional rallying cry for pollution reduction throughout the Chesapeake's six-state, 64,000-square-mile watershed, which is home to more than 17 million people and 3,000 species of plants and animals.
The Hammond-Harwood House is the Jewel of Annapolis, the grandest Colonial house in the historic town, preserved intact since 1774. In addition to its magnificent, perfectly preserved architecture inside and out, this National Historic Landmark contains an outstanding collection of John Shaw furniture and Charles Willson Peale paintings.
Representations of the state’s various geographic areas are featured in this five-acre garden. They include a Western Maryland forest, a streamside environment and an Eastern Shore peninsula. In addition, the barrier-free garden contains pleasant ponds; a raised planter with plants of varied textures, tastes and fragrances; and many cultivated plantings.
Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary, operated by Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks, consists of 1,700 acres of open water, tidal freshwater marshes, forested wetlands, upland and riparian forest, creeks, meadows, pine and sand barrens, and fields along the Patuxent River.
The Maryland Daffodil Society, established in 1923, is America's oldest Daffodil Society. They hosted the National Convention in 1996 and again in 2012. Each year their show brings approximately 100 exhibitors, showing 2,000 blooms. Design classes have been an integral part for many years featuring daffodils in many unique and impressive displays.
The Natural Disaster USA Fund was established by National Garden Clubs, Inc. in 1997 to receive monetary contributions from states, clubs and individuals for the purpose of assisting local and state clubs with their garden-related restoration efforts. This fund has helped to replant parks, municipal gardens and other garden related sites due to natural disasters caused by floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, ice storms and wildfires.
National Garden Clubs, Inc. and the USDA Forest Service formed a partnership to sustain our national and urban forests through this reforestation/forest education program. Garden Clubs participate in a meaningful and practical conservation project by contributing to a Penny Pines plantation as part of the costs of replanting replacement trees indigenous to a particular damaged area. Whether by fire or by other natural catastrophe, pine trees and other trees are replaced.
Unity Gardens is a non-profit organization based in Anne Arundel County that supports the building of community partnerships through the creation of greening projects, environmental enhancement and education. Unity Gardens funds projects up to $1,000 to qualified non-profit organizations such as neighborhoods, schools, religious organizations, scout troops and community groups. Grants are awarded twice a year to coincide with the spring and fall growing seasons.
Watershed Stewards Academy builds capacity in Anne Arundel County by training Master Watershed Stewards to help neighbors reduce pollution in our local creeks and rivers. Hands-on certification courses give Stewards the tools to implement change in their communities, turning knowledge into action. Stewards work with their communities to install projects such as rain gardens or conservation landscapes and to reduce pollution at its source. These small community based actions are improving the health of the larger Chesapeake Bay watershed.