We inspire people to action across the Commonwealth, on behalf of native plants and the diversity of life they support.
Our human footprint is everywhere, and conservation no longer works by focusing on only a small percentage of total land area. Consider this— over 90% of the lands in Massachusetts are privately owned, and much of that is in parcels smaller than one acre. More than 90% of our population lives in the cities and suburbs that extend over half of the state’s land area.
What we all do matters, quite simply— everywhere.
We believe that conservation and stewardship begin at home, and that our individual actions have an important impact on the world around us. From that framework, we can build neighborhoods and communities that work together, with a view of the ecosystem as “our shared commons,” worthy of care by all, so that we can protect the richness of life, both locally and globally.
We are certain that the important legacy of conservation in the 1800s and 1900s— protecting special places by setting them aside in parks, sanctuaries and preserves—is still critical to conservation today, but that it cannot be the sole model for protecting biodiversity as a whole. The current fragmentation of our landscape into parcels of private ownership—both large and small—requires that we engage all citizens in actions to re-establish native plants everywhere, as a foundation for intact ecosystems that can adequately regulate themselves.
We seek to build a shared vision of the world that views humans as being “of nature,” not separate from it. This will help us reframe our landscapes and integrate our built environment into a native plant heritage that must be reclaimed if we are to sustain life as we know it. We must embrace local systems while we also operate in a globally connected world.
We have experienced that successful conservation efforts are strengthened by a sense of community, and we strive to nurture those bonds through our events and programs. We aspire to achieve our vision throughout the Commonwealth, in areas urban and rural, and on lands large and small, both public and private.
Art in Bloom Garden Tours has branched out of Vermont’s nationally recognized Notch Above Tours, Inc. States owner, Gwendy Lauritzen, a 20-year veteran of the tour and travel industry, “We are thrilled to offer these amazing experiences to the “growing” community of garden and art enthusiasts. The tours are designed for small groups of like-minded travelers and offer intimate experiences in art, gardens, architecture and local cuisine.
The garden-themed vacations were created out of the heightened demand for domestic travel and the desire to experience nature. The popularity of gardening has generated a new market of travelers eager to learn, see and dig in!
Each tour is based in a central location where a multitude of gardens, galleries and gastronomic delights will be experienced each and every day. They feature learning, hands-on experiences and renowned, local horticultural expert guides. With destinations from the coast of Maine to the Western Seaboard, travelers will witness a diversity of art, gardens and architecture. Regional and state garden clubs and horticultural societies have found our tours to be great sources for fundraising. The positive response from our garden tour travelers has proven that we offer superior tours guaranteed to dazzle your senses and keep you growing!
Our mission is to conserve and promote New England’s native plants to ensure healthy, biologically diverse landscapes.
VISION
Through our leadership, New England’s native plants will exist in vigorous populations within healthy, evolving ecosystems, and people across the region will actively promote and protect them in the wild and in their gardens.
ROLE
Native Plant Trust will continue to lead the region in all aspects of native plant conservation, horticulture, and education. We will continue our leadership role in national and international efforts to conserve native plants, with a particular focus on achieving the goals of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation in the United Nations’ Convention on Biological Diversity.
VALUES
Stewardship
Preserving the integrity, stability, diversity, and beauty of the natural world
Leadership
Inspiring action through vision, innovation, and expertise
Acumen
Focusing on long-term goals and making decisions based on science, research, best practices, and effectiveness
The mission of Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is to inspire meaningful connections among people, plants and nature through horticulture, education and research.
A Brief History of Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
Opened in 2007, our “People’s Garden” invites visitors of all ages and abilities to create and to explore meaningful connections to plants and nature at their own pace. Our journey began in 1991 when a small group of Midcoastal residents dreamed of building a world-class public garden on 148 acres of rocky coastal forest that would one day be both an economic engine and cultural anchor for our region. After 16 years of planning, the Gardens opened officially in the summer of 2007. Since then, the Gardens has become one of Maine’s top attractions and one of the most distinguished botanical destinations in the country. Its exquisite gardens, dramatic and compelling natural landscape—including nearly a mile of tidal saltwater frontage—make it ever-changing, endlessly captivating and thoroughly unique. The Gardens presents limitless potential to inspire learning about natural history, habitats, botany, horticulture and ecological connections. As the largest botanical garden in New England, the Gardens comprises 295 acres, 17 of which are gardens featuring native plants of Maine and other plants suited to northern coastal conditions. Over 200,000 guests from throughout the United States and 63 foreign countries visited CMBG in 2018. All of this is only possible thanks to the unhesitating willingness of our founders to use their own homes as collateral. With steadfast commitment to the organization’s vision, these individuals along with hundreds of volunteers established a foundation of insightful planning, helping to make Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens a jewel of rare quality among North American gardens.
Photographer Keith Schengili-Roberts writes from Toronto on July 5th, 2023 – In August of 2011, I was walking my dog in Woodbine Park in The Beaches part of Toronto when I noticed Monarch butterflies checking out a patch of coneflowers. Thankfully I had brought my Olympus camera along with me and shot many photos of the butterflies while my dog waited patiently for me to finish up. What you see above is my favorite…a Monarch Butterfly on an Echinacea Flower – Keith!
A Brief History of the Rockport Garden Club
February 1928 – Sixteen local women gathered to form the Rockport Garden Club. The town gave permission for their use of the Community House as a meeting place.
1936 – The club raised $1,500 to purchase an area around Mill Pond. A Club committee had plans drawn for the park to be called Millbrook Meadow.
1940 – A Service Committee was established which continues to serve the citizens of Rockport and Cape Ann. From the 1940’s until the 1970’s, flower arranging occupied the members with elaborate flower shows held each summer at the Rockport Art Association.
1950’s – As a fundraiser, the Club presented a musical revue called “Garden Gaieties”.
1968 – In May a public plant sale was held in Harvey Park which evolved over the years to the present “Market Day”.
1982 – In Millbrook Meadow the Club dedicated a small keystone bridge which is a miniature version of the classic keystone bridge on Granite St.
1992 – The Club established the Rena Kurth Scholarship, awarding $1000 annually to a local college student studying in a horticulture related field.
2011 – This year men were formally admitted and encouraged to join the Rockport Garden Club.
Today the Club’s Town Garden Committee cares for 13 public garden sites in Rockport with a significant working staff of dedicated Club members. The Garden Club has grown substantially with close to 200 members and is actively involved in a number of civic projects.
