Group for the East End

Group for the East End is an environmental advocacy and education organization, committed to the preservation of eastern Long Island’s natural resources and rural heritage.  Formed in 1972 by local citizens concerned about mounting development pressures, the Group has fought passionately and steadfastly ever since to protect the region’s unique environment, agricultural tradition and quality of life.  (From the Mission Statement of Group for the East End)

Long Island Tree Committee

In 2009, the 7 GCA Long Island garden clubs (Southampton GC, Three Harbors GC, North Country GC, South Side GC, North Suffolk GC, GC of East Hampton, GC of Lawrence and the GCA New York Committee) joined forces to form the Long Island Tree Committee.  

Inspired by the GCA’s Centennial challenge to promote awareness of trees in local communities, the LITC extended these objectives to a wider audience. They planned a series of four annual symposia at notable regional institutions. Their objective was to promote awareness of the value of trees and forests to our environment and welfare and to recognize that we need a shift in our current horticultural paradigms to accommodate a changing ecology. Their goal: to inspire curiosity and build knowledge about plants and wooded landscapes in order to enhance life, preserve nature and advance sound stewardship practices. Their solution: to help sustain a healthy natural landscape, collaboration must be fostered among diverse groups and organizations such as property owners, landscape designers, land trusts, watershed associates and municipal boards. 

To carry on their educational goal, the LITC has funded a GCA Zone VI Fellowship in Urban Forestry and contributed to the Elizabeth Abernathy Hull Fund for Early Environmental Education.

The Nature Conservancy

The mission of The Nature Conservancy is to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive.  To date, the Conservancy and its members have been responsible for the protections of more than 11 million acres in 50 states and Canada. The Conservancy owns more than 1,600 preserves—the largest private system of nature sanctuaries in the world. (From the Mission Statement of The Nature Conservancy)

The New York Committee of GCA

The mission of the New York Committee of the Garden Club of America is to carry the message of GCA throughout the 5 boroughs of New York. It does so by developing and implementing various hands-on horticulture and conservation projects such as the annual bulb planting at Hopper House on the lower East Side, the Peter Pan garden at Carl Shurz park on the Upper East Side and the Millennium garden at the Bowe Notch on the lower Hudson River. Members of the New York Committee come from GCA clubs within the tri-state area and all local club members are encouraged to participate.

The Peconic Land Trust

The Peconic Land Trust is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization dedicated to the preservation of farmland and open space on Long Island. To this end, the Trust acquires and manages land, as well as easements, for conservation purposes.  In addition, the Trust assists farmers and other landowners in the identification and implementation of alternatives to full-yield development. (From the Mission Statement of The Peconic Land Trust)

The Southampton Cultural Center

Consistent with the vision of the Village of Southampton where cultural arts and humanities are a defining characteristic of its community, the Southampton Cultural Center’s mission is to provide venues for quality education and performance. In addition, the Southampton Garden Club’s Annual Flower Show is often held at the center.

The Village Improvement Association of Southampton

The VIAS is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1881 with the mandate to preserve and beautify the Village of Southampton. The SGC, in spirit and funding,  has regularly supported and shared in the VIAS mission to keep Southampton beautiful via thousands of plantings, from tulips to trees, adorning our village parks and colorful flower boxes that line our village streets, while maintaining the beauty of our environment through the pruning of trees and tending of gardens—all projects that help preserve the special and precious character of our local community. 

The Student Conservation Association, Inc.

The Student Conservation Association, Inc – changing lives through service to nature—was established 43 years ago by a Garden Club of America member to build the next generation of conservation leaders and inspire lifelong stewardship of our environment and communities by engaging young people in hands-on service to the land.  (From the Mission Statement of SCA)