named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Conservation and Native Plant Initiatives
Ongoing projects to create and expand native plant habitats, support biodiversity, and engage youth in conservation aligned with Pollinator Pathway and Homegrown National Park concepts
Floral Design and Flower Shows
Bi-monthly floral exhibits and periodic flower shows that promote horticultural artistry and public engagement, continuing a tradition since 1914
Historic Garden Restoration
Supports restoration and maintenance of historic gardens including the Beatrix Farrand Garden, the 1810 Garden in Warwick, and Staatsburg Landscape Restoration at Mills Mansion
Photography Exhibits and Education
Hosts regular photography exhibits and participates in GCA-sponsored contests to promote nature photography and visual documentation of horticultural work
Root for Trees! Program
Year-round environmental education program in Downing Park that teaches students tree care, urban green space importance, and environmental career opportunities
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Horticultural Education and Community Gardening 4 activities
- Environmental and horticultural education programsStimulates knowledge and love of gardening, flower arranging, and conservation through monthly meetings, workshops, and educational exhibits. Activities include discussions on seasonal gardening, native plant propagation, and promoting horticultural knowledge sharing among members and the public.
- Floral design and photography education and exhibitsHosts bi-monthly floral exhibits and five to six photography exhibits annually to educate members in floral design and photography as art forms. Organizes workshops and brings in speakers to support skill development and historical appreciation.
- Historic garden restoration and maintenanceInitiates, supports, and maintains historic gardens such as the 1810 Garden in Warwick, the Beatrix Farrand Garden in Hyde Park, and the Jane Colden Native Plant Garden at Bear Mountain State Park. Has maintained the Herb Wheel garden at the Warwick Historical Society for over 60 years, including financial support for materials.
- Native plant and habitat conservation projectsConducts ongoing native plant habitat creation and rare plant propagation projects, including collaboration with youth groups in Orange and Dutchess Counties. Supports conservation education and the protection of native plants and birds.
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Local Land Conservation Advocacy 1 activity
- Advocacy for conservation and preservation policyCollaborates with local, regional, and national government groups to promote conservation and preservation, in partnership with the Garden Club of America.
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Holiday and Seasonal Essentials Distribution 1 activity
- Community outreach through floral arrangementsCreates and delivers approximately 400 holiday floral arrangements annually to individuals and nursing homes through the Meals on Wheels program in Orange and Dutchess Counties.
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Environmental Conservation Grantmaking 1 activity
- Funding conservation initiativesMakes special donations to support conservation causes, such as the contribution to the Orange County Land Trust in honor of member Jo Marvel Hull and her husband, Professor Richard Hull.
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Public Garden Tours and Events 1 activity
- Public flower shows and horticultural exhibitionsHosts public Flower Shows showcasing artistic and horticultural excellence, including participation in the Zone III flower show and GCA-sponsored events. The most recent flower show was held in May 2023, continuing a tradition that began in 1914.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$35K
Contributions & grants$21K58%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$11K31%
Other revenue$4K
expenses
Total expenses$41K
Program expenses80%
Admin / overhead20%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$4K
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$504K
Cash$31K
Investments$473K
Liabilities$0
Net assets$504K
Liquid reserves146.0 mo
5 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue -58.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 7
- DANIELLE BANTA — RECORDING SE
- JOAN PAESE — CORR. SECRET
- KAREN STRAIN SMYTHE — PRESIDENT
- LINDA TAWSE — CO-TREASURER
- MICHELE LINDSAY — VICE PRESIDE
- SUSAN CHRISTENSEN — FINANCE CHAI
- SUSAN GILLINDER — CO-TREASURER
relationships · 32
Who they work with
- Black Rock Forest Consortium Partner — Collaborates with the Black Rock Forest Consortium on research, education, and conservation initiatives.
- Constitution Marsh Audubon Center and Sanctuary Partner — Partners with Constitution Marsh Audubon Center and Sanctuary on nature education, bird studies, invasive species management, and habitat restoration.
- Downing Park Partner — Collaborates with Downing Park on horticultural and educational projects, including the Root for Trees! program.
- Dutchess Land Conservancy Partner — Works with the Dutchess Land Conservancy to preserve open lands, natural resources, and rural character in Dutchess County.
- Garden Club of America Network — Founding member and active affiliate promoting conservation and preservation in alignment with national policies and initiatives.
- Garden Club of America Network — One of twelve founding clubs of the Garden Club of America and collaborates on environmental and horticultural initiatives.
- Garden Club of America Network — Supports the work and policies endorsed by the Garden Club of America.
- Garden Conservancy Partner — Partners with the Garden Conservancy to save and share outstanding American gardens for public education and inspiration.
- Grasshopper Grove Partner — Collaborates with Grasshopper Grove at the Hudson Highlands Nature Center to promote nature-based play and environmental discovery for children.
- Habitat for Humanity Dutchess County Partner — Collaborates with Habitat for Humanity Dutchess County to strengthen communities through affordable housing initiatives.
- Habitat for Humanity Greater Newburgh Partner — Partners with Habitat for Humanity Greater Newburgh to support affordable homeownership and neighborhood revitalization in Newburgh.
- Hill-Hold House Partner — Works with Hill-Hold House to support the preservation and interpretation of historic homesteads in the Hudson River Valley.
- Homegrown National Park Partner — Aligns native plant habitat projects with the Homegrown National Park initiative.
- Hudson Highlands Nature Center Partner — Partners with the Hudson Highlands Nature Center to advance environmental education and stewardship in the Hudson Highlands region.
- Madison Lewis Wetlands- Warwick Partner — Collaborates on the preservation and interpretation of the Madison Lewis Wetlands as a public park and historic landscape in Warwick.
- Meals on Wheels Newburgh Partner — Partners with Meals on Wheels Newburgh to deliver holiday floral arrangements to homebound individuals and nursing homes in Orange and Dutchess Counties.
- Newburgh Urban Farm and Food Initiative Partner — Works with the Newburgh Urban Farm and Food Initiative to enhance food security and community cohesiveness through urban agriculture.
- Orange County Land Trust Partner — Collaborates with the Orange County Land Trust on land preservation and made a special donation in honor of a club member and her husband.
- Outdoor Club of Port Jervis Partner — Partners with the Outdoor Club of Port Jervis on outdoor stewardship and sustainable recreation initiatives.
- Pollinator Pathway Partner — Collaborates with or aligns programming to support the Pollinator Pathway conservation initiative.
- Poughkeepsie Farm Project Partner — Collaborates with the Poughkeepsie Farm Project to promote sustainable farming, food access, and inclusive community development.
- Roots! For Trees- Downing Park Partner — Supports the Root for Trees! program at Downing Park, providing experiential environmental education to local students.
- Safe Harbors on the Hudson Partner — Works with Safe Harbors on the Hudson to support community building through housing and the arts.
- Sally's Gardens Partner — Collaborates on horticultural and recreational programming at Sally's Gardens in Thomas Bull Memorial Park.
- Smith Early Learning Center Partner — Created and maintains a garden at Smith Early Learning Center that serves as an educational tool and community resource in a food desert.
- Staatsburg Landscape Restoration at Mills Mansion Partner — Partners with the Friends of Mills of Staatsburgh on the preservation and restoration of the Staatsburgh State Historic Site landscape.
- The Beatrix Farrand Garden at Bellefield Partner — Works with The Beatrix Farrand Garden at Bellefield to support the restoration and preservation of Beatrix Farrand’s garden and related educational programs.
- The Garden Club of America Network — Member club that participates in GCA-sponsored flower shows and exhibits.
- The Garden Club of America Network — Member organization aligned with GCA's conservation goals and position papers.
- Trailside Museums and Zoo in Bear Mountain State Park for Jane Colden Partner — Collaborates with Trailside Museums and Zoo to support nature interpretation, native wildlife exhibits, and botanical education in a woodland preserve.
+ 2 more
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Native Plant Integration to Support Biodiversity and Ecosystem Resiliencemethodology: native plant conservationBy emphasizing the cultivation and integration of native plants into gardens and public spaces, the organization enhances local biodiversity and ecological resilience, because native species support pollinators, birds, and soil health more effectively than non-natives.
- Science-Based Horticulture and Education for Environmental Stewardshipmethodology: science-based horticultureBy promoting responsible, science-based horticultural practices and member education, the organization advances environmental stewardship and conservation, because evidence-informed gardening strengthens ecological resilience and public engagement.
- Youth Engagement as a Cascading Conservation Mechanismmethodology: youth_engagement_for_ecosystem_conservationBy engaging youth groups in native plant cultivation and environmental education, the organization creates a cascading effect that promotes long-term biodiversity conservation, because early involvement fosters lifelong stewardship and multipliers ecological impact through community influence.