Upcoming program at Berkshire Botanical Garden
STOCKBRIDGE – Berkshire Botanical Garden presents the following upcoming program: Tuesdays, Nov. 26 to Dec. 17, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. This four-session program, taught by Jen Werner, focuses on factors that affect plant health care, including insects, diseases, pathogens, and abiotic influences. Basic diagnostic techniques will be taught. Learn to minimize potential problems through proper site management, plant selection, and placement. Managing problems using biological, chemical, and cultural techniques will be discussed with a focus on integrated pest management. Cost is $215 members, $240 nonmembers. To register or for more information, visit www.berkshirebotanical.org. Berkshire Botanical Garden is located at 5 West Stockbridge Road.
2025 Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl Poster contest
SPRINGFIELD – The Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts together with the USDA, Forest Service and National Garden Clubs, Inc., are giving students the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of wildfire prevention and basic environmental conservation principles through original drawings of Smokey Bear or Woodsy Owl.
Children from first through fifth grade are invited to participate in this annual drawing contest featuring conservation icons Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl. Individual children can enter but groups, clubs and schools are encouraged to use this as an opportunity to impress upon their members or students the importance of taking a personal role in preventing wildfires or conserving natural resources.
Posters are to be completed by individual students, have correct spelling and all posters must feature Smokey Bear or Woodsy Owl. Smokey Bear posters must include Smokey’s wildfire prevention message: Only You Can Prevent Wildfires! Woodsy Owl posters must include Woodsy’s conservation messages: Give-A-Hoot, Don’t Pollute or Lend a Hand – Care for the Land. Complete rules including size requirements, allowed materials and other important contest rules can be found on the GCFM website at www.gcfm.org/ngc-youth-contests.
Being a member of a garden club is not a requirement, but all contest entrants must be sponsored by a GCFM recognized local garden club. Entries must be submitted to the sponsoring club by Jan. 10, 2025. For more information or to connect with a recognized garden club contact Mary Bandouveres at gcfmyouthcontests@gmail.com.
Wilbraham Garden Club meeting
WILBRAHAM – The Dec. meeting of the Wilbraham Garden Club will be held at the St. Cecelia Parish Center on Main St., at noon on Thursday, Dec. 5. The speaker for the day will be Matthew Flatow, owner of Flowers, Flowers in Springfield. He will share his innovative and cutting-edge techniques with participants. Matt’s beautiful arrangements will be raffled off at the end of his program.
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