LOS ANGELES GARDEN CLUB
SINCE 1932

Botanical Gardens

Classes and projects of both the L.A. County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, and Descanso Gardens are shared and member participation encouraged. Several members volunteer at these organizations.

Horticultural Education

The Club improves members’ knowledge through horticulture judging, sharing plants, growing tips, and presentation by experts during meetings. The Club maintains a membership with the Theodore Payne Foundation.

State and National Objectives

The Club encourages its members to understand and practice the principles and objectives of California Garden Clubs, Inc. and National Garden Clubs, Inc. by participating in its projects and fundraising efforts.

Bus Trips

The Club takes bus trips or car pools to botanical gardens, nurseries, garden centers, or growers to educate its members on all phases of horticulture and conservation.

Holiday Donations

We continue to support our annual holiday project of contributing clothing, toys and funds to Homeless Health Care Los Angeles, a unique organization providing services for homeless children, families, and persons with co-occurring health issues, including mental health and substance use disorders. Items and monetary donations are collected at our Club’s November meeting and transferred to the shelter the same day, with many items serving as gifts at the shelter’s holiday celebration. A popular project, member participation is approximately 85%. Last year’s donation value was over $800. Checks to Homeless Health Care Los Angeles will be sent a donation letter and tax receipts are available for items donated.
Chairperson: TBD

Penny Pines

We continue to give memorial contributions in the names of recently-deceased club members to the Angeles National Forest. The Forest Service plants and maintains approximately one acre of trees for each donation made. Members can also contribute to the Penny Pines Reforestation/Restoration Program. The program focuses on support to help the forest recover from fires, insect and invasive plant infestation.

Chairperson: Bob DeWees

LA River and Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Projects

Community efforts have helped to give the Los Angeles River a new lease on life.

Members participate in river cleanups together with Friends of the Los Angeles River (FoLAR).

Scholarship

In 2019, two LAGC Scholarships were awarded to two horticultural students from Mount San Antonio College. The awarding of three LAGC Scholarships in 2020 is currently still pending, since the selection process had to be postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The college was originally selected because it met all of the criteria established by the LAGC. Contributions to the Scholarship Fund are received from Club members, as well as other groups, and through fundraising activities.
Chairperson: Anna Hernandez-Torres

Taking the Reins

In 2018, our Club partnered with Taking the Reins to help support this community-based non-profit organization in Los Angeles that serves hundreds of at-risk girls, ages 8-18, to help them excel and achieve their fullest potential in a safe and diverse environment. Thanks to the Equestrian, Urban Farm, and Animal Husbandry Programs, girls learn the value of teamwork and responsibility, in addition to valuable skills. TTR inspires and encourages girls to self-advocate, helping them grow into future leaders. TTR also offers workshops in the arts, personal development and life skills, college preparation, and career opportunities. Partnering schools report TTR teens have higher in-class participation and school attendance, and over 80% of TTR students show increased self-confidence.
Our members enjoy volunteering and participating in the garden classes and will continue to do so. TTR informs us of available dates so our members can sign up during our regular membership meetings.
The annual cost per girl is $1,100. Donations are very much appreciated.

Through its programs, newsletter tips/solicitation of member suggestions, and poster display, our Club encourages members to practice water conservation, composting, and the environmental “three Rs”:

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Reduce  waste

Reuse    repair for same use, or repurpose

Recycle  reprocess into a new raw material

 

Useful resources include:

 

SoCal WaterSmart: socalwatersmart.com

Rebates to encourage wise water use and conservation.

 

Rain Water Harvesting and LA’s Watershed Protection Program: lastormwater.org

 

Greywater Systems: greywateraction.org Reuse water from bathroom sinks,

showers and washing machines to irrigate trees, shrubs and flower beds.

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Compost Green Waste: calrecycle.ca.gov/organics

Turn Brown into Gold by keeping yard waste of leaves, grass clippings,

vegetable and kitchen waste on site by composting.

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Vermicomposting: calrecycle.ca.gov/organics/worms

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S.A.F.E. Recycling Centers: lacitysan.org Solvents, Automotive, Flammables, Electronics

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1-888CleanLA: dpw.lacounty.gov/epd/cleanla

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Environmental Programs within the City of LA: environmentla.org