Conservation and Beautification

May 2, 2022

Chairman Marsha Merrell, The James River Garden Club

Conservation and Beautification Committee Chairman Marsha Merrell represented the Garden Club of Virginia at the opening of the James River segment of the Captain John Smith Trail on October 2, 2006, at Westover and announced plans to attend “Cooling the Commonwealth,” an event for legislators to be hosted by the Virginia Conservation Network in November. She followed with updates on recent and upcoming events – Conservation Workshop, Conservation Forum and Legislative Day.

After receiving a request from David Whitehurst, Wildlife Diversity Division Director, the Garden Club of Virginia Board of Directors voted to join “Teaming with Wildlife Coalition,” to participate in building support for funding of the State Wildlife Grants program. Created in 2001 by Congress to keep wildlife from becoming endangered, 2007 funding for the program had been cut by $18.5 million. Virginia’s Wildlife Action Plan identified 111 species as threatened or endangered.

The 2006 Conservation Workshop was held September 11, chaired by Penny Dart of the Warrenton Garden Club. “Can You Hear Me Now?” focused on effective communication with membership and included “Care and Feeding of Your Legislator,” using the GCV website and email courtesy. After struggling with an “alien computer” and viewing its images, lopsided, Marsha recommended that GCV budget for a laptop with PowerPoint software and a proper audio/visual cart.

The 48th Annual Conservation Forum, “Energy, What is the Future?” was held November 8-9, 2006, at Stratford Hall, co-chaired by Margaret South and Anne Beals. The event was a huge success with 230 attendees (the expectation was 100). Attendees toured Stratford Hall on Wednesday with an emphasis on energy-saving devices used in building the historic home.

Thursday’s first speaker was Dr. Thomas D. Peterson, Executive Director of the Center for Climate Strategies, Senior Research Associate and Adjunct Professor at Pennsylvania State University. He discussed causes of global warming and their impact on our landscape and water resources. Dr. Peterson served with the White House Climate Change Task Force as a congressional liaison and contact for natural resource issues and has assisted several states with the development of climate change action plans and policies.

The second speaker was Dr. James L. Kelly, Professor Emeritus of the Nuclear Engineering Department at UVA. Dr. Kelly has worked for Kaiser Aluminum, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Duke Power Company, and VEPCO. He discussed various aspects of nuclear power, including safety, environmental hazards and waste disposal.

The 2006 Dugdale Award for Conservation was presented to Miranda (Randi) Bryant Strutton for her work in creating and preserving the Hoffler Creek Wildlife Preserve, a 142-acre living laboratory. Randi is Executive Director of the Hoffler Creek Wildlife Foundation, which focuses on helping children make connections to their environment. She organizes bird walks, volunteer workdays, Earth Day programs, interactive programs and field trips.

Note: Given the difficult logistics of waiting to announce the recipient at the Conservation Forum, the committee voted to notify future Dugdale recipients in advance, providing an opportunity for family and friends to attend the presentation.

Legislative Day was held January 22, 2007, chaired by Eleanor Towers. In spite of snow, sleet and rain over most of the Commonwealth, the event drew 70 attendees. Conservation and Beautification Chairman Marsha Merrell added, “Getting up close and personal with our elected officials is far more rewarding that simply pulling a lever and waiting for the next election.” Attendees delivered energy-saving compact fluorescent light bulbs to delegates and senators with a note on energy conservation from the Garden Club of Virginia.

GCV opposed the early designation of a National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor (NIET Corridor) that would transect highly protected areas in Clarke, Warren, Fauquier, Loudoun and Prince William counties. GCV endorsed legislation to provide a tax-free week for purchases of “energy star” appliances and light bulbs.

Marsha moved that the board accept the recommendations for Legislative Day as stated below.

The committee held an annual retreat in Williamsburg on March 29-30, 2007, organized by Merry Outlaw, to establish plans for accomplishing two-year goals: create and distribute a manual for club conservation chairmen; create a slide presentation titled The Work of the Garden Club of Virginia in Conservation; and increase the Conservation Fund and establish grant guidelines. The committee was treated to a “behind-the-scenes” tour of the APVA archeology laboratory at Jamestown, providing an opportunity for committee members to see and touch items used by the early settlers.

The 2007 Conservation Workshop, “Make an Impact in Your Community,” was held September 10 at the Kent-Valentine House. Chaired by Eleanor Towers, a new slide presentation showing the conservation work of GCV was shown, and attendees were given a copy of the newly printed manual for club conservation chairman. Breakout sessions followed the presentations.

Merry Outlaw, Katya Spicuzza, Lynne Caldwell and Marsha Merrell represented GCV at the Virginia Environment Assembly in Williamsburg on October 6, 2007. The Virginia Conservation Network hosts the annual assembly at locations around the state.

The 48th Annual Conservation Forum was held November 7-8, 2007, on Chincoteague and Assateague islands. “Competition and Cooperation on Virginia’s Eastern Shore” was chaired by Anne Doyle and featured speakers Bob Bloxom, the Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry; Karen Terwilliger, former head of Endangered Species and Wildlife Diversity for the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries; and Alice Baird for the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Chesapeake Bay Local Assistance Program. The Elizabeth Cabell Dugdale Award was presented to the Union Bank and Trust branch office at 2151 Barracks Road in Charlottesville, nominated by Rivanna Garden Club for the great attention paid to design and building while being sensitive to the environment and habitat of wildlife on the site.

Legislative Day 2008 was held on January 21, 2008, chaired by Anne Doyle. For the first time, GCV combined this event with VCN’s Lobby Day. Marsha Merrell presented a legislative scorecard to 2008 Annual Meeting attendees, particularly pleased that the Citizen Air and Water Boards was saved from consolidation, and that bills for farm best management practices had survived.