Our Club Supports Preservation, Conservation and Environmental
Outreach Programs
The Outreach Committee has begun the process of transforming our Pollinators Pathways project idea into an impactful action-based program.
The Concept of Pollinator Pathways
The purpose of Pollinator Pathways is to stem the heavy loss of pollinators (insects, birds, and animals) by means of creating connected corridors or pathways that support their habitat. The fragmentation of the natural environment through urbanization and suburbanization is now recognized as a major factor in the great decline of many of these pollinators.
The NGC Pollinator Pathways Project
Progress Report and Help Wanted
Our Focus
In our project, we will be focusing on the plants which foster pollinators and, as the title suggests, we will seek to encourage the addition of native plants in private gardens and public spaces so that contiguous “pathways” may be created for these vital contributors to the food chain. You might want to take a look at https://www.pollinator-pathway.org/ for a better understanding of this initiative.
Of course, as Nauset GC members, and indeed as a society, we all love and enjoy our garden flowers most of which hail from abroad - Iris, Peonies, Tulips, etc. and our beautiful landscapes filled with traditional non-native plants (Hydrangeas)!
Creating a Pollinator Pathway will not jeopardize our traditional plant lists but it will allow us all to make a difference in one of the most important ecological issues of our time.
Hands Needed
Although the Nauset GC will need to be the initiator and driver of this project, we will need many hands -- not just ours. The scope of the project may ultimately extend to a broad-based coalition of mutually interested groups such as other garden clubs, conservation groups, schools, town personnel, nurseries, Chambers of commerce, architects, Farmers markets, etc.
Proposed Steps
Our first step, however, is to set up a very small informal working group of a few Nauset GC members (perhaps some who wear two garden club hats, plus representation from the Orleans Conservation Trust (OCT), the Orleans Improvement Association (OIA) and the Town of Orleans. A small Outreach team (Carol Alper, Jeanne Berdik, Sue Meisinger, Pru Montgomery) will be drawing up a straw man outline of what a possible Pollinator Pathways project might look like to get the small group discussion underway.
Using this outline as a starting point, this informal group will then define a specific plan and determine the next steps for implementation, including making a recommendation for the scope (additional Garden Clubs or Towns) and the creation of an actual Steering Committee.
Please Consider Joining Us
We are seeking NGC members who have an interest in participating in this informal group to get the project started. We are particularly interested in having members who are active in other Garden Clubs or conservation organizations. Please contact one of us if you are interested or want to know more or want to provide some feedback on the initiative. We look forward to hearing from you.
Helping in our Community
Sprucing up the gardens at the Orleans Village Green
A taste of the
HISTORY OF THE ORLEANS VILLAGE GREEN
RHODODENDRON DISPLAY GARDEN
The Orleans Village Green is 1.2 acres but appears larger because the Snow Library, which abuts it, sits on 2.1 acres of connected landscaped lawns. Orleans is situated in climate USDA Zone 7a. Although the Green is not on the water the winds do sweep across it. Additional soil and manure were added to the sandy Cape Cod soil to prepare the site. Superphosphate and peat moss were added during planting.
The first section of the garden was planted in the fall of 1989 and spring of 1990. The garden was dedicated in May of 1991. A sign was installed, a band played music, an Orleans selectman was present and there were refreshments for all. THIS IS JUST AN EXCERPT. WHO KNEW THERE WERE TWO PHASES? VIEW THE SITE PLAN AND A LIST OF PLANTS.
Thanks to the American Rhododendron Society Cape Cod Chapter
OH, THOSE INVASIVE PLANTS!
A main focus in cleaning up the Village Green Gardens was to identify and remove invasive plants. Here is some information and links so you can become more informed about invasive plants on Cape Cod.
What is an Invasive Plant Species?
An "invasive species" is defined as a species that is non-native (or alien) to the ecosystem under consideration, and whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.
The Mass Audubon Society has designated 31 species
as invasive to Cape Cod.
The slide show below highlights about half of them
with identification and descriptors.
Read about and view more invasives.
CLICK ON ANY PICTURE TO GET A FULL SCREEN SLIDE SHOW WITH DESCRIPTORS
PROBIBITED PLANTS IN MASSACHUSETTS SORTED BY COMMON NAME
An easy to use, extensive guide to plants that are prohibited in Massachusetts
