The great conservationist, Aldo Leopold, wrote in A Sand County Almanac: "That land is a community is the basic concept of ecology, but that land is to be loved and respected is an extension of ethics." Do we, as Georgians, love and respect our natural resources, and do we have the ethics to protect those resources for future generations? Since 1928, Garden Club of Georgia members have been striving for the protection of Georgia's irreplaceable natural resources. These precious resources are dependent on adequate quantity and quality of water. Our finite water resources, both surface streams and groundwater, must be managed in the public interest for the public good. At the forefront of our State's water management policy must be provisions to insure adequate quantity and quality of water to sustain our natural resources and quality of life in Georgia. —Jaydee Ager, GCG President 2003-2005

GCG Advocacy

As part of its "Beautification . . . Conservation . . . Education" mission, GCG and its Legislative Team advocate member contacts with elected officials, especially about conservation issues. Position Papers provide background information and reference points, and suggest club program topics. GCG encourages continued self-education on local, Georgia, and national issues.

• GCG maintains a presence at the Georgia Capitol during annual 40-day Legislative Sessions.
• Most years include a Legislative Day at the Capitol to meet/meet with Legislators and focus on specific issues. During the 2006 Legislative session, GCG achieved 100% success on the six bills for which we lobbied. Our biggest efforts were directed at not allowing roadside trees to be cut down to benefit the visibility of billboards. Also House Bill 1320, which passed both houses of the Legislature, brought together the litter laws from six books of the Georgia Code, stiffening penalties and facilitating education and enforcement.
• Each GCG District has a Legislative Chairman; clubs and councils are urged to have one.
• Listserves facilitate email contact with GCG State Board, board members of seven GCG Districts, and with individual garden clubs, councils, and members.
• Publications including Garden Gateways, District newsletters, and Board Briefs, plus GCG and District Web sites spread periodic advocacy and issues information.
• GCG invites members of the Georgia Legislature as guests to meals during its events that alternate or rotate among Georgia cities and towns. Such occasions provide opportunity for garden club constituents and elected officials to meet informally and locally.
• GCG and members cooperate and network with established conservation organizations.
• An educational Legislative exhibit travels to GCG events.
• GCG holds periodic Legislative Seminars or workshops at our State Convention. Local seminars are encouraged.

GCG Position Papers

The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. supports independent, scholarly, peer-reviewed scientific research as the basis for the formulation of responsible public policy and legislation, and appropriate funding in order to ensure qualified results. The following Position Papers outline our views on various issues, in keeping with our mission of "Beautification, Conservation, Education." All GCG Position Paper titles include the year of first writing, approval, and publication; they are to be reviewed and revised as needed during each two year term.

• GCG Supports Historic Preservation (2004, reviewed 2006)
• GCG Supports Endangered and Protected Flora (2004, reviewed 2006)
• GCG Supports Responsible Litter Control and Waste Reduction (2004, reviewed 2006)
• GCG Supports Billboard Control, Scenic Quality, Scenic Byways and Enhancement Programs (2003, reviewed 2006)
• GCG Supports Public Lands/Greenspace (2003, reviewed 2006)
• GCG Supports Clean Air (2003, reviewed 2006)
• GCG Commits to the Protection of Water as a Public Resource (2003, reviewed 2006)
• GCG Supports Preservation of Endangered Wildlife (2003, reviewed 2006)

Join the Club! . State Headquarters . Founders Memorial Garden . Events Calendar . Education/Youth . Education/Adult . Floral Design Classes . Mountains to the Sea . Advocacy and Issues . Garden Shop Catalog . Awards Program . Habitat for Humanity . Special Projects . Historic Preservation . Grants Program . Scholarship Program . FLOW~ Program . District Clubs . Garden Therapy . Reference Library . Giving to the Club . Garden Club Forms . WWW Links . Contact the Club . H O M E

Tree Tips It takes an acre of trees to produce enough oxygen each year to keep 18 people breathing! Why plant trees and shrubs in the Fall? To give them time to establish roots in their new place—before Spring rain encourages their growth and Summer heat brings stress. However, the usual "exception to the rule" in the South is to plant palms and citrus trees in late Spring or early Summer.