HISTORY OF THE SEDONA AREA GARDEN CLUB

The Sedona Area Garden Club was founded by Joni Rosenbaum in 1996 and subsequently became a member of the National Garden Clubs, Inc. and the Arizona Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc.  While the Club has a comparatively short history, our accomplishments are well worth noting.

Our Club’s main objectives are to advance the art of gardening, promote community beautification and aid in the conservation of our natural resources.
 
Toward these objectives, the Club redesigned and funded the planting of the interior atria at the Sedona Public Library and provides weekly maintenance and periodic upgrading.  An annual bed is planted and maintained in front of the statue of Sedona Schnebly at the Library.  Books on gardening and related topics have been donated annually.

In cooperation with Big Park School and with student participation, a Butterfly Garden and Native Riparian Area were established, beginning with a classroom presentation to hands-on planting and maintenance, thus serving as ongoing outdoor laboratories for the students.  Shade trees and bench surrounds were purchased and installed on the school playground.

As part of the larger Sedona Historic Jordan Sidewalk “Pioneer Pathway”  Project, the Club has landscaped the “interest node” immediately adjacent to the Sedona Heritage Museum, Jordan Road entrance.  Further enhancements and a sculpture are planned.   Grants from the Arizona State Land Department – Urban and Community Forestry and the USDA – Forest Service and the National Garden Club, Inc. have also contributed to this ongoing project.

The Club’s current and most ambitious project is the production and distribution to fourth grade students of a book on Sedona trees and their connections to wildlife, On the Trail of Trees, Tracks and Tails.  This is being  made possible in  part, by grants from the Community Challenge Grant Program of the Arizona State Land Department.  Dwarf flowering trees were donated to the Sedona Heritage Museum as part of this project.

Cash donations have been made to Habitat for Humanity, Operation Wildflower, the AFGC Scholarship Fund, and the Blue Star Memorial at Mesa Rose Garden on an ongoing basis.

Fundraisers to support our objectives have been plant auctions/sales, the publishing/sale of a cookbook, a garden tour in 2004, and  another garden tour planned for 2006.