The Cambridge Plant and Garden Club (CP&GC) is one of the oldest garden clubs in America, having its roots dating back to 1889. During its 120-year history, the club has developed different characteristics at various times but has maintained a consistent focus. The club is committed to promoting the preservation and improvement of the (now urban) landscape through active involvement in education programs and civic projects in horticulture and conservation in the City of Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Today, the Cambridge Plant and Garden Club focuses its efforts in three major areas:
Civic Works: The club does hands-on work to maintain green spaces, such as the perennial gardens and grounds at the historic Hooper-Lee-Nichols House, which is headquarters for the Massachusetts Historical Society. Recently, the club collaborated with the City of Cambridge to raise funds, implement and maintain the renovation of a small pocket park and fountain at Craigie Street Park. Historically, the club has planted many trees on streets and in parks in Cambridge; the club is now embarking on a five-year program to continue to do this and to fund the maintenance of these new plantings. The club continues its involvement in the planning for improvements at Fresh Pond Reservation where it has committed substantial funds for work around Black’s Nook.
Horticulture: The CP&GC has speakers, conducts workshops, and takes field trips to study and propagate plants, to learn about current techniques in flower arranging and sustainable garden design. The club’s most recent project is the study, propagation and planting of the American Linden tree using the seedlings and cuttings from a 100-year old linden tree at the Longfellow House in Cambridge. The club takes at least one major trip a year to visit significant gardens in the New England area, as well as elsewhere in the USA.
Conservation: The club holds workshops and attends conferences on sustainable environmental practices, most recently on the subjects of organic lawns, rainwater barrels, recycling, and stormwater management. Club representatives attend a national legislative conference in Washington, D.C. to learn about and lobby for national environmental legislation. The club participates in projects to remove invasive species, particularly at Fresh Pond Reservoir.
The Cambridge Plant and Garden Club is a non-profit organization affiliated with the
Garden Club of America (GCA), the
Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts, and the Boston Committee of the GCA. The club contributes a small amount of funding to civic and environmental organizations who share similar goals in the Cambridge/Boston area.
The Cambridge Plant and Garden Club is a 501(c)(3) organization. Copyright 2010 by the Cambridge Plant and Garden Club.
All rights reserved.