The Wellington Garden Club (WGC) celebrated Florida Arbor Day by planting a native slash pine tree and placing a plaque on Friday, Jan. 19 at Wellington Rotary Peace Park. The event kicked off a year-long celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs (FFGC). A total of 167 garden clubs took part by planting a tree simultaneously.
“As a partner with the Village of Wellington, the Wellington Garden Club is pleased to share our celebration of Florida Arbor Day with the village,” WGC President Carol Ralph said. “This helps to fulfill our mission to protect the environment by promoting and continuing to grow village preserves with new plantings.”
WGC Arbor Day Coordinator Katherine Wagner-Reiss thanked the village for its assistance.
“Many thanks to Will Gurney, Wellington landscape superintendent, for assisting the Wellington Garden Club in all aspects of the celebration, including site selection, tree planting and the event ceremony.”
Undeterred by light rain, many Wellington Garden Club members, sporting their club shirts, attended. Invited guests Vice Mayor Michael Napoleone, Maria Antuña (representing the Rotary Club) and Amanda Silvestri were also in attendance.
A grant from the Duke Energy Foundation supported the purchase of the pine tree.
Since 1982, the Wellington Garden Club has been an active part of the local community and the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs. Membership is open to all, and meetings are held monthly, September through April, at the Wellington Community Center.
Learn more about the group at www.wellingtongardenclub.org.
