In honor of Maine Native Plant Month, the Camden Garden Club voted unanimously to adopt the following statement in support of native plants at its general meeting April 27, 2023. The statement was put forward by a member of the Club’s Conservation Committee and seconded by the Conservation Committee Chair.
The statement, which will live on the Club’s website and posted on social media, is:
“The Camden Garden Club is a strong supporter of native plants.”
The Club makes this statement in acknowledgment of the ongoing work that it and its members have done and continue to do in support of native plants. This includes:
Supporting native plants is in line with the Club’s longstanding Conservation Pledge that is renewed annually: “We pledge to protect and conserve the natural resources of the planet earth and promise to promote education so we may become caretakers of our air, water, forest, and wildlife.”
The Club supported the inaugural Maine Native Plant Month in April 2023 as recognized by a proclamation by Maine Governor Janet Mills.
The Club supported National Native Plant Month in 2023 through expressing support to the House of Representatives and the Senate.
The Club’s President issued a similar statement of support to the United States Senate in April 2023 in support of National Native Plant Month on behalf of the Club: “The Camden Garden Club is a proud founding member of the Garden Club Federation of Maine and a strong supporter of native plants.”
The Club is breaking ground this year on Camden’s first public native plant garden. Affectionately called the “Postage Stamp,” the pollinator demonstration garden will be managed by the Village Green Committee on an underutilized bed in front of the Camden post office downtown. This project received a Plant America grant from National Garden Clubs Inc.
The Club’s past speakers and talk topics have included showcases of native plants, including “Native Plant Gardening,” “Forestry for Maine Birds,” and “Maine’s New Invasive Plant List.”
The Club manages and maintains the Camden Village Green, which incorporates native plants.
The Club sells native plants at its plant sales.
The Club proudly supported the inaugural 2022 Camden Native Plant Celebration & Sale as hosted by the Camden Public Library and members of Wild Seed Project by hosting a table at the event.
Members of the community who would like to share in the Club’s mission and support of native plants are encouraged to join the Club and its Conservation Committee.