Chairman: Kathleen Damish
508-668-2174

Click here for the GFWC Conservation Community Service Program from the 2012-2014 GFWC Club Manual.
Click here for the Conservation Information Please pages.
Click here for the Conservation Report Cover Sheet.

Remember that lovely song from our old friend “Kermit the Frog?”  Well, times certainly have changed since that song was first popular.  Thanks to a global movement, it is becoming easier than ever to be Green! Not only that, it is more important than ever.  Our environment continues to be polluted every day, and though we have come far, we still have a long way to go to ensure our future generations will be able to live in a clean, healthy world.  Remember, too, any little change you can make makes a difference, whether it be as simple as recycling your newspapers every week, or by using the nice re-usable shopping bags that most if not all markets have available.  Most of you I am sure are already doing your part.  Be creative, I know you have terrific ideas!

The best part about working to conserve our beautiful planet earth is that it is for all people of all ages!  I hope that you enjoy challenging your clubs to come up with fun and meaningful projects to help our environment.

Partnerships – work with organizations that GFWC has established a formal relationship and mutual understanding.  This offers unique and customized services (e.g. speakers, materials…).  These partnerships have not been officially confirmed for 2012-2014.  Check our website for updates on those partnerships.

Community Service Projects – initiate and participate to serve your local communities.  These projects do no relate to the GFWC partners.

Incorporate some of the below topics in your own projects:

• Recycling
• Soil Conservation
• Noxious Weeds
• Air and Water Quality
• Waste Handling
• Natural Resource Restoration
• Land Maintenance
• Tree Planting
• Beautification
• Wildlife Protection
• Proper Care for Domesticated Animals
• Food Sources

Community Gardens (as promoted by our GFWC International President)
www.CommunityGarden.org

This website features ideas on how to plant a community garden; it also features the 2010 address from our First Lady, Michelle Obama!  Read about the American Community Gardening Association:  The American Community Gardening Association (ACGA) is a bi-national nonprofit membership organization of professionals, volunteers and supporters of community greening in urban and rural communities.  ACGA and its member organizations work to promote and support all aspects of community food and ornamental gardening, urban forestry, preservation and management of open space, and integrated planning and management of developing urban and rural lands. 
The website features the benefits of community gardening and explains the whole concept.  Why not start one in your town?  Reach out to other GFWC Clubs in your area and other organizations like the 4H, Girl Scouts, and Boy Scouts.  Combining resources only helps make a greater awareness.

America in Bloom
www.AmericainBloom.org

America In Bloom promotes nationwide beautification through education and community involvement by encouraging the use of flowers, plants, trees, and other environmental and lifestyle enhancements.  Like the Community Garden, this website offers lots of great ideas and information on community projects like Community Clean Up Day.  Ask your local Chamber of Commerce about projects that you and your club can assist with.  What can you do to beautify your town and community? How about cleaning up a playground and making sure the equipment is safe and up to date? Work with local merchants to get donations for new equipment, which also helps it become safer and cleaner environment for the kids.

As an FYI, here are some good websites to reference:

www.Earthday.net
www.Earth911.com
Massrecycle.org/recyclingatschool.html