"When snow falls, nature listens.”
Antoinette van Kleep
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As we approach the end of the year, I ask you to reflect on the growth and joy that we have experienced together for the Garden Club of Virginia.
Our member clubs continue to work hard to support conservation and environmental initiatives and host fundraisers for special projects and educational programs in our communities. We gather together across the state for flower and photography shows, forums and Horticulture Field Day. And, we host the only statewide home and garden tour in the country which funds one of the major tenets of our mission, to restore and preserve the integrity of historic public landscapes across the Commonwealth.
Thank you for all that you do for the GCV. I am proud of what we have accomplished together and I look forward to an exciting year ahead as we continue to make a lasting impact on our glorious Virginia.
Wishing each of you a lovely holiday season filled with the joy of nature’s wonders and the company of loved ones.
My warmest regards,
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Debbie Lewis
GCV President, 2022-2024
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The December native plant is actually a tree. It is the beautiful white oak, Quercus alba, which grows throughout the Southeast. This tree offers pollinator-friendly habitat for native bees and birds as well as food for many other native species including quail, turkey, and duck. It is the prime larval food for the hairstreak butterfly and supports more than 900 different caterpillar species across its range. Bees also use the spring catkins as an early pollen source. These trees grow well in dry to average soil in full sun to a height of 50 to 80 feet and can live 200-300 years. Plant one in the fall and the white oak will serve your pollinators for generations to come. |
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Conservation Fellowships
2024 GCV Conservation and Environmental Studies Fellowship
Applications Due Feb. 1, 2024
Beginning in 2024 two fellowships will be granted - one to a graduate student and one to an undergraduate student.
This Fellowship was established in 2014 to support scholars conducting research in areas relating to the conservation of natural resources and/or environmental studies concerning flora, fauna or cultural practices within communities that directly impact the Commonwealth of Virginia. The application process begins in November with the Conservation and Environmental Studies Fellowship announcements distributed to colleges and universities. The Guidelines and Application form is available on the GCV website.
Above is Marlena Hamilton (Christopher Newport University), Conservation and Environmental Studies Fellow 2023, whose project is "Understanding Climate Risk to Red-back Salamanders Through Behavior, Physiology, and Geography.”
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The Cultivating Conversation series reconvenes on January 22 with “Unraveling the Mystery of Entering a Photography Show.” Register here.
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Fall Photography Challenge Winners!
Thank you to all our wonderful photographers across the state who submitted gorgeous photos for our Fall Photography Challenge. Special congratulations to Georgiana Watt, District 5, Fauquier and Loudoun Garden Club, for winning the Best in Show Award and to Mary Woodson, District 2, The Blue Ridge Garden Club for winning the Creativity Award.
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Please take a few minutes to read all the judges' comments as a fun and informative way to improve your own photography in the future.
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Winter Photography Challenge
Now that colder weather has arrived, carry your cell phone and look for opportunities to photograph your entries for our Winter Photography Challenge. We will again have two creative and fun seasonal classes.
Class I: Winter Berries
A close up or a macro color photo of berries in winter. If possible, capture weather such as rain, ice or snow on some of the berries to impart the look of winter.
Class II: Winter Wildlife
Capture wildlife in a winter setting of bare landscapes or branches. This color portrait should evoke the solitude of winter. Remember only wildlife and no pets, please.
Entries will be accepted beginning Feb. 1 and will be due no later than Feb. 18. Registration details will be provided in the January Membership News.
Photography Workshops are back!
Mark your calendar for Tuesday, Jan. 9 at 4 p.m. for the Basic Composition Workshop. This is a free, entry-level course offered via Zoom on how to make compelling photographs for cell phone and camera users alike. Register Here.
Basic Editing and Lightroom workshops will be offered in February 2024. Details will follow in the January Membership News.
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The Restoration Committee is pleased to announce the 2023-24 Restoration Fellow.
Margaret “Greta” Mattheis, is a second-year graduate student in the School of Architecture at the University of Virginia. The focus of her research will be to map an in-depth inventory and assessment of the trail network at Blandy Experimental Farm, the State Arboretum of Virginia and a GCV Restoration Site, and outline preliminary design recommendations to improve and expand the trails. This fellowship is funded by proceeds from Historic Garden Week, and Greta’s work will help lay the groundwork to make the miles of trails at Blandy more accessible to the public.
Greta will also include the history and background of the trail network on this culturally rich site. She will work under the direction of Friends of the State Arboretum (FOSA) Board members Roger Courtenay, Dan Owens, Blandy Farm Director of Scientific Engagement Ariel Firebaugh, and Nancy Takahashi, PhD, who will be serving as Greta’s advisor.
Greta will attend the GCV Annual Meeting in Charlottesville in May 2024 to present her report to the GCV members attending.
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From left: Jean Gilpin, former GCV President and current Chairman GCV Restoration Committee, Greta Mattheis, 2023-24 Restoration Fellow, and Nancy Takahashi, PhD, UVA Professor Emerita of Landscape Architecture. |
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March 1, 2024, Award Nominations Deadlines
The Common Wealth Award, established in 1979, provides funds to support community projects of conservation, beautification, horticulture, preservation and/or education. The two-word name Common Wealth describes the "wealth" that is "common" to all Virginians. Nominations may be submitted by GCV members or member clubs. Learn more.
The Horticulture Award of Merit was established in 1960 to recognize individual members of the Garden Club of Virginia who have achieved significant accomplishments in horticulture, both personally and in their communities. Please consider nominating your club’s dedicated and hard-working horticulturalists. Learn more.
The de Lacy Gray Conservation Medal was established by the Dolley Madison Garden Club as a memorial to de Lacy Thompson Gray. The award recognizes outstanding effort by a GCV member or a GCV member club in furthering the knowledge of our natural resources as well as encouraging their wise use. Nominations may be submitted by GCV members for member clubs. Learn more.
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Legislative Day
Conservation Lobby Day, hosted by the Virginia Conservation Network, is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Richmond. VCN will provide details in the coming weeks.
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The Garden Club of Norfolk Lifestyle Lecture Series is held every year to raise funds for community projects and is open to the public. Next year’s event will be held Feb. 20, 2024, at the Norfolk Yacht and Country Club, Norfolk. The featured speaker, Sandra Sigman, will discuss her new book French Blooms: Floral Arrangements Inspired by Paris and Beyond. Tickets are $60. The event includes refreshments, a raffle, and vendor shopping area.
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The Brunswick Garden Club
Connie Stanley
Fauquier and Loudoun Garden Club
Catherine Patton
Nicole Watson
The Garden Club of Gloucester and Mathews
Marilyn Muron/Dutton
The Hampton Roads Garden Club
Maryann Duffy Ayer
Pam Patterson
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The James River Garden Club
Virginia Keller
Lindsey Clark-Motley
The Little Garden Club of Winchester
Marie DiLorenzo
Libby Ingham
The Lynchburg Garden Club
Jenna Vermilya
The Martinsville Garden Club
Kim Spratley
Mill Mountain Garden Club
Lutheria Smith
Margaret Thomas
The Petersburg Garden Club
Rhonda Baer
Crystal Douglas
The Williamsburg Garden Club
Antonia Gordon
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Our Shop features fun and useful GCV and Member Club items. Shop Now.
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New Item: Restoration Notecards. Each card details GCV's work at a featured property. The cards are a great way to spread the word about our projects across the commonwealth. Every note sent is a chance to educate about our mission.
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Quick Links
Autumn Photography Challenge:
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Holiday Greetings From the Kent-Valentine House |
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Meg Turner, the Kent-Valentine House liaison for the Restoration Committee and member of the James River Garden Club, and Joe Moss of Moss Organic hang wreaths to dress up the house for the holidays. |
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