Lake Minnetonka Garden Club

OUR CHANGING WORLD AND HOW WE CAN RESPOND IN OUR OWN BACKYARD

In the 2016-17 fiscal year the LMGC turned its focus to what we can do in our own backyard to respond to the challenges of our changing world.

  • We were introduced to the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MNRRA), a national park that runs through the Twin Cities Metropolitan area, whose programs are providing opportunities for underprivileged kids to experience the outdoors.
  • We learned the hows and whys behind the design of our Depot Pollinator Garden and how we can introduce natives into our own gardens, received a lesson in how to prune our trees and shrubs to protect our natural  environment.
  • We found out how our changing regional food system is effecting our local farmers’ markets.
  • We were inspired by a wreath making workshop and the beautiful arrangements of Arts and Flowers using plant material grown globally and locally.
  • We heard about seed saving efforts taking place both around the world and at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.
  • We celebrated our newly merged Garden History &  Design and Visiting Gardens Committee with a visit from our zone reps who showed us how visiting and documenting gardens can be easier and more fun.

Each year we plan new and exciting learning experiences for our group, learning experiences that help us work within the community educating and inspiring for a healthier tomorrow.

 Conservation Education

The Conservation and NAL committees of The Garden Club of America are thrilled to announce that the spring issue of ConWatch is here.  Read about the issues plastics are causing within our environment.

 Arboretum Connection

2018 is an anniversary year – our 60th actually. It was 60 years ago that our Club raised the funds to purchase the founding 160 acres for the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, the first northern climate arboretum in the United States. The rest is history, our partnership with the Arb is strong, and we are going to celebrate! Look for more information coming soon from both LMGC and the Arboretum.

Scholarships

Each year the Lake Minnetonka Garden Club selects a student attending a Minnesota institution in the area of horticulture or a related area to receive a scholarship to move their education forward. Information on qualifications and the application process are posted here. Click the picture above for more information.

Supporting Our Community

This year we made five $1,000 gifts to the following deserving programs:

  • Minnesota Landscape Arboretum: our partner of 59 years.
  • Marla Spivak: for her world- renowned Bee research at the U of MN St Paul Campus.
  • The Minnesota State Horticulture Society: celebrating its 150th year.
  • Eloise Butler Wildlife Garden: the oldest wildflower garden in the country. Ours was the first contribution to Phase II of its award-winning boardwalk designed by landscape architect Jim Robin.
  • Minnesota National River and Recreation Area (MNRRA) in support of its programs for underserved kids.

Water Shed Partnership

The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) is one of the largest and most heavily used urban watersheds in Minnesota. The Minnehaha Creek winds 22 miles from its Headwaters at Grays Bay on Lake Minnetonka to the Mississippi River. From 2001-2008 the Lake Minnetonka Garden Club collaborated with the MCWD, the City of Minnetonka and six other public agencies to launch the Grays Bay Lakeshore Restoration Project, a model for other lake communities. The goal was to eliminate storm runoff and rebuild and protect the shoreline with native plants at two sites:  Grays Bay Marina and  Headwaters Park. In 2009 The Lake Minnetonka Garden Club won a Garden Club of America Public Relations Award for a public information campaign that promoted naturalized shorelines to the other 12 municipalities surrounding Lake Minnetonka. Click the picture above to read more about the Minnehaha Creek Watershed.

Pollinator Education

Depot Garden

The Lake Minnetonka Garden club proudly maintains the Wayzata Train Depot Garden. Club members have tirelessly transformed the garden into a showplace for perennial native plants and their cultivars as well as many annuals that support pollinators, birds and small animals.

Partners for Plants

Partners for Plants is a joint program of the Garden Club of America’s Conservation and Horticulture Committees to monitor and conserve rare plants, restore native habitats and remove invasive weeds on federal, state and local public lands. LMGC does an annual Garlic Mustard pull at Wolsfeld Woods each year. Read more about the garlic mustard, the garlic mustard pull and Partners for Plants in the links below.