The GCA 2017 Conservation Study Trip

Did you notice an announcement of a Conservation Study Trip here in Cleveland in your latest GCA Bulletin? Here's the scoop:

The GCA 2017 Conservation Study Trip will be an exploration of the largest fresh water ecosystem in the world; the history, the challenges, the successes, the beauty. It will be a grand adventure exploring Lake Erie's shores and islands between Cleveland and Toledo. It is designed to transform one's appreciation for clean water, a limited and threatened resource and is limited in participation to the current and incoming members of the 2017-18 Conservation and NAL committees. It will begin in Cleveland on September 10, and conclude in Toledo on September 14. An optional additional day of programming returns the participants to Cleveland for more programming September 15.

The focus of the trip will be water, one drop at a time. Attendees will see and hear about the impacts of fresh water research, wetland restoration, climate change, harmful algal blooms, wildlife conservation, agriculture, dam removal, the water recreation industry and much, much more. Participants will return home with a renewed commitment to protect and restore the water in their own communities.

The trip is also the occasion for Conservation/National Affairs and Legislation Committee business meetings. This is one of two required meetings for the GCA conservation leadership in which they develop their program and solidify their goals for the coming year.

We will need volunteers in many different capacities. Depending on the time you choose,

• you will meet your GCA cohorts from around the country as you staff the welcome table on Sunday,
• take in what experts have to say about our lake and environment as you serve breakfast, snacks and lunch at the morning sessions on Monday and Thursday,
• spend some time with your SLGC friends as you are arranging flowers for the welcome dinner on Sunday evening or transporting them to the next venue
• or ?????

and you will generally learn more about The Garden Club of America, the fabulous organization to which you belong.

Please consider joining the fun!  To do so, contact Lee Warshawsky for more information: ehwar7@gmail.com or 216-932-1244.

Thank you all in advance for your helping hands and kind support!

Jane Ellison
Conservation Study Trip Chairman