Conservation and Beautification

December 16, 2021

Chairman Jocelyn Conners, The Lynchburg Garden Club

The Conservation Workshop, September 15, 2004, was held at the Kent-Valentine House where conservation chairmen from around the state gathered for “Flora for the Future,” chaired by Tish King of the Garden Club of the Northern Neck. Chris Ludwig, Chief Biologist for the Virginia Department of Conservation and Beautification, Division of Natural Heritage, presented a slide lecture on the Flora of Project. Virginia Conservation Network President Martha Wingfield provided an update on that organization’s activities, and Jocelyn Sladen provided an overview of endangered plant protection.

The Conservation Forum, November 3-4, 2004, “Birding: A Walk on the Wild Side,” was chaired by Jean Brown of the Leesburg Garden Club on the campus of Mary Baldwin College. The two-day event attracted 85 early arrivals who gathered on Wednesday to walk portions of Virginia’s Birding and Wildlife Trail, guided by David Whitehurst, Director of Wildlife Diversity, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. Dinner Wednesday night was held at the Pullman, Staunton’s restored train depot. The Thursday morning forum brought 150 attendees to the Student Activities building. Mr. Whitehurst, the first speaker, presented a slide lecture about the statewide system of Birding and Wildlife Trails, and emphasized the value of our natural resources and wilderness areas and their role in attracting tourists who are also environmentalists. The second speaker was George Fenwick, President of the American Bird Conservancy, who spoke about challenges to the health and existence of our bird population, native and migratory, caused by pollution and overdevelopment. Mary Bruce Glaize had staged exquisite table arrangements featuring bluebird houses and porcelain birds ordered from the Smithsonian collection. Twenty environmental organization and vendors had set up booths for the event. The 2004 Elizabeth Cabell Dugdale Award was presented to Dr. Charles K. Price and Robert A.S. Wright, two outstanding conservationists who, through major contributions of time and talent, helped foster the preservation of open green space and native plant habitat of the Bandy Field Nature Park in Richmond.

January 24, 2005, Legislative Day was chaired by Sallie Sebrell of the Nansemond River Garden Club. Speakers included Delegates Albert Pollard, Joe May (Nonconforming Billboards) and Jack Reid (Clean Smokestacks), plus presentations from nine different environmental organizations. The Garden Club of Virginia supported legislation for the following:

• Clean smokestacks
• Funding for protection of natural resources
• Funding that enables Virginia to meet EPA standards as committed to Chesapeake Bay Agreement of 2000
• Support legislation to be brought before U.S. Congress by Congressman Boucher and Senator Warner, who are sponsoring a proposal by the Coalition for Virginia Wilderness for a bill to create four new Wilderness Areas within the Jefferson National Forest and two new National Scenic Areas.
• Continued incentives for landowners who wish to donate conservation easements.

Hayride anyone? Club conservation chairmen were given that opportunity at the Conservation Workshop, “Growing and Going Organic,” chaired by Marsha Merrell of the the James River Garden Club on September 12, 2005. Participants met at Rossie and Sandy Fisher’s Brookview Farm in Manakin-Sabot and learned firsthand about organic farming and the benefits of organic food. Organic farmers for over 20 years, Rossie and Sandy explained the methods and requirements for certified organic farming with a lecture and tour of the farm in tractor-pulled hay wagons that included a visit with the laying hens and an explanation of their compost operation, which uses all the leaves collected in Henrico County to make “black gold.” Participants were then treated to delicious, organically grown lunch selections, served by members of the James River Garden Club. Hyla Brook Farm was on site sponsoring a native plant sale and reliable sources said the participants looked like 17-year locusts surrounding the plants. Photos

November 9-10, 2005, Conservation Forum, “American Wilderness, An Enduring Legacy,” chaired by Susan Tipton, the Garden Club of the Northern Neck, and Marilyn South, the Garden Club of the Middle Peninsula, offered another opportunity to enjoy nature. The outdoor enthusiasts arrived at Sweet Briar’s Florence Elston Conference Center on Wednesday and departed for a hike in nearby wilderness areas, led by Mark Miller, Vice President of the Virginia Wilderness Committee; Jim Murray and other volunteers from the Southern Appalachian Forest Coalition; and David Carr from the Southern Environmental Law Center. For those who didn’t wish to hike, Tim Kasper, who heads up the Sustainability and Environmental Education Center of Sweet Briar College, presented “Voices of the Wilderness: A Discussion of the Habitats and Natural Ecosystems of Wilderness.” He discussed what we can do to protect and sustain our heritage. Cocktails and dinner followed.

Keynote speaker for Thursday morning’s audience of 200 was William H. Meadows, President of the Wilderness Society. He credited the late Senator Gaylord Nelson, his colleague at the Wilderness Society and founder of Earth Day, for inspiring him to devote his time and energy to conservation causes. Mark Miller, Vice President of the Virginia Wilderness Committee and field organizer for the Southern Appalachian Forest Coalition, provided updates on national and regional wilderness issues and legislation. It is Mr. Miller’s advocacy that led to the introduction of the Virginia Ridge and Valley Act of 2005. Thirty environmental organizations had set up booths for the event. The morning ended with presentation of the 2005 Elizabeth Cabell Dugdale Award to William H. Harrison, founder of the Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum. Photos

January 23, 2006, Legislative Day was chaired by Marsha Merrill of the James River Garden Club. Monday’s speakers at the Capitol Building were Preston Bryant, Secretary of Natural Resources; Leighton Powell from Scenic Virginia; Dan Holmes from Piedmont Environmental Council; Michael Town from Sierra Club; and Carey Whitehead from Virginia Conservation Network. Several other environmental organizations spoke during lunch at St. Peter’s Catholic Church.

The Garden Club of Virginia supported legislation for clean smokestacks; opposed legislation that would weaken billboard regulation; and continued support for the creation of Wilderness Areas and National Scenic Areas.