Community Conservation

Taking Action: Children’s Garden Club

Groups Featured: Children’s Garden Club

Group Mission: To educate, as well as bring delight in gardening and horticulture through hands-on projects that children can continue at home.

Project Location: St. Louis

With their creativity, love of nature and delight at getting their hands dirty, kids are natural gardeners. Even if you’re not a gardener yourself, the Children’s Garden Club can help you build on these natural inclinations and encourage your child’s self-esteem and love of the outdoors.

Developed by horticulturist Douglas R. Wolter and the St. Louis County Department of Parks and Recreation, the club aspires to educate and encourage delight in gardening and horticulture through hands-on projects. Organized in 1999 and federated in 2000 through the Federated Garden Clubs of Missouri Inc., the club meets monthly on the first Saturday (except July and September), at 9 a.m., at sponsoring locations in St. Louis County and City. All are free with no reservations required. Everyone is welcome.

Sponsors include KTVI FOX 2, Missouri Botanical Garden, Sherwood Forest Nursery and Garden Center, St. Louis Water Garden Club, Gilberg Perennial Farms, For the Garden at Haefner’s, Sappington Garden Shop and St. Louis Florist Network. For more information on events and locations, visit the Children’s Garden Club or the Federated Garden Clubs of Missouri online, or call the St. County Department of Parks and Recreation at (314) 615-5000.

Students in Action

Affecting conservation through government

The Conservation Federation of Missouri’s Conservation Leadership Corps promotes leadership for the next generation by involving high school and college students in the creation of conservation policy and actions. High school sophomores through undergraduate college students (who are active in organized conservation activities through school projects or organizations) are nominated for the three-year program.

CLC members prepare resolutions that are submitted to the Federation, state agencies and the Missouri General Assembly. They also discuss their views with elected officials. Successful resolutions have addressed a variety of issues, including urban Canada goose population control, bobwhite quail conservation, non-point source pollution and black bear management. Educators and leaders of conservation-related programs can download nomination forms online, or call (573) 634-2322 for more information.