What We Do
A Blue Star Memorial Marker, the first memorial to be placed on I-68, will be placed at the Youghiogheny Overlook Welcome Center on I-68 in Garrett County. This welcome center is located on the western end of I-68 just into Maryland from West Virginia. The dedication is planned for September 9, 2021.
H4H-Habitat for Humanity is our newest committee. A NGC initiative, we are committed to working with home owners to enhance the environment by landscaping HFH homes with hearty native trees, shrubs, plants, and flowers that also attract butterflies.
The Library Gardens Committees coordinate the planting and maintenance of three gardens at the Ruth Enlow Library Branches of Garrett County in Accident (23 years), Oakland (30 years), and Grantsville (10 years).
The Conservation Committee has partnered with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources staff at the Discovery Center assisting elementary students with activities about pollinators and their plants during field trips to the center in May and June. The students are from Garrett and Allegany County public schools.
Another project of the Conservation Committee was to create a large rain garden at the Sang Run State Park in June of 2019 that serves as an ongoing educational project for the Junior Rangers, local public-school children, and those visiting the park. This project was funded by three grants MLGC received: one each from the State of Maryland, Espoma Plant America, and Ames Tools Plant America. The rain garden demonstrates how to deal with storm water runoff using the proper native plants.
The Conservation Committee has partnered with the Environmental Science teachers and students at Northern Garrett High School to plan, supervise, and maintain various native plant projects with the students since 2014. We have constructed a large demonstration meadow garden; provided guidance in wetland replanting and restoration; and helped students construct and plant a memorial flower garden. These gardens are maintained by the students and our committee members.
MLGC held its 20th Annual Country Gardens Tour featuring gardens throughout Garrett Count on June 26, 2021. This was an important community educational event, as well as our major fund-raiser. Three residential/farm properties in the Accident area were included in the tour. Several educational displays and exhibits were featured at the gardens. The Floral Design Committee offered special design demonstrations.
The Horticulture Committee held the perennial plant sale on Saturday, June 12, 2021 in downtown Oakland. Plants were donated from our members’ gardens. This has been an ongoing event for the past 15 years. Committee and club members staff the sale, offer assistance to visitors about the plants, and give guidance on planting and maintaining them.
The Floral Design Committee creates a special Holiday Wreath for the Maryland State House as its contribution from Garrett County. Garden Clubs from each Maryland county contribute a wreath or tree for this project. This wreath depicts many of the special flora and fauna from our county.
The Horticulture Committee, encourages garden club members to bring specimens of plant material from their gardens to each of our monthly meetings. Examples are flowers, grasses, flowering shrubs, trees, and dried plant material. This allows for sharing of many different and interesting plant/floral selections throughout the year, encouraging many to participate and to try growing new plants. It is also great practice for exhibiting horticulture at future flower shows.
A Blue Star Memorial Marker, the first memorial to be placed on I-68, will be placed at the Youghiogheny Overlook Welcome Center on I-68 in Garrett County. This welcome center is located on the western end of I-68 just into Maryland from West Virginia. The dedication is planned for September 9, 2021.
H4H-Habitat for Humanity is our newest committee. A NGC initiative, we are committed to working with home owners to enhance the environment by landscaping HFH homes with hearty native trees, shrubs, plants, and flowers that also attract butterflies.
The Library Gardens Committees coordinate the planting and maintenance of three gardens at the Ruth Enlow Library Branches of Garrett County in Accident (23 years), Oakland (30 years), and Grantsville (10 years).
The Conservation Committee has partnered with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources staff at the Discovery Center assisting elementary students with activities about pollinators and their plants during field trips to the center in May and June. The students are from Garrett and Allegany County public schools.
Another project of the Conservation Committee was to create a large rain garden at the Sang Run State Park in June of 2019 that serves as an ongoing educational project for the Junior Rangers, local public-school children, and those visiting the park. This project was funded by three grants MLGC received: one each from the State of Maryland, Espoma Plant America, and Ames Tools Plant America. The rain garden demonstrates how to deal with storm water runoff using the proper native plants.
The Conservation Committee has partnered with the Environmental Science teachers and students at Northern Garrett High School to plan, supervise, and maintain various native plant projects with the students since 2014. We have constructed a large demonstration meadow garden; provided guidance in wetland replanting and restoration; and helped students construct and plant a memorial flower garden. These gardens are maintained by the students and our committee members.
MLGC held its 20th Annual Country Gardens Tour featuring gardens throughout Garrett Count on June 26, 2021. This was an important community educational event, as well as our major fund-raiser. Three residential/farm properties in the Accident area were included in the tour. Several educational displays and exhibits were featured at the gardens. The Floral Design Committee offered special design demonstrations.
The Horticulture Committee held the perennial plant sale on Saturday, June 12, 2021 in downtown Oakland. Plants were donated from our members’ gardens. This has been an ongoing event for the past 15 years. Committee and club members staff the sale, offer assistance to visitors about the plants, and give guidance on planting and maintaining them.
The Floral Design Committee creates a special Holiday Wreath for the Maryland State House as its contribution from Garrett County. Garden Clubs from each Maryland county contribute a wreath or tree for this project. This wreath depicts many of the special flora and fauna from our county.
The Horticulture Committee, encourages garden club members to bring specimens of plant material from their gardens to each of our monthly meetings. Examples are flowers, grasses, flowering shrubs, trees, and dried plant material. This allows for sharing of many different and interesting plant/floral selections throughout the year, encouraging many to participate and to try growing new plants. It is also great practice for exhibiting horticulture at future flower shows.
Junior & Senior Environmental Science Students at Northern High
The Conservation Committee has partnered with the Environmental Science teachers and students at Northern Garrett High School to plan, supervise and maintain various native plant projects with the students since 2014. We have constructed a large demonstration meadow garden; provided guidance in wetland replanting and restoration; and helped students construct and plant a memorial flower garden. These gardens are maintained by the students with ongoing guidance from our committee members.
The Conservation Committee has partnered with the Environmental Science teachers and students at Northern Garrett High School to plan, supervise and maintain various native plant projects with the students since 2014. We have constructed a large demonstration meadow garden; provided guidance in wetland replanting and restoration; and helped students construct and plant a memorial flower garden. These gardens are maintained by the students with ongoing guidance from our committee members.
MLGC Scholarship
In the firm belief that our natural world should be studied, appreciated, and protected, the Mountain Laurel Garden Club began offering a scholarship in 2009-10 to contribute to the ongoing education of a deserving student. The scholarship is to be awarded to a qualified student, entering the sophomore year, who plans to major in a field of study related to Agriculture, Forestry, Environment, Horticulture, Natural Resources and Wildlife Technology. This scholarship, administered by Garrett College Foundation, is to be used for tuition and books. As of June 1, 2012, the amount of this annual award is $1,000.
The scholarship for 2019-20 was presented to Stephen Jones; for 2020-21 Brady O’Brien is the recipient. In preparation for the coming year another $1,000 check was presented to the Garrett College Foundation in June. As of 2015-16, an additional $250 is budgeted annually for adult continuing education in courses or workshops related to the same fields listed above, as well as for any of the NGC education courses. Donations by the community at large are 501(C)3 tax deductible.
In the firm belief that our natural world should be studied, appreciated, and protected, the Mountain Laurel Garden Club began offering a scholarship in 2009-10 to contribute to the ongoing education of a deserving student. The scholarship is to be awarded to a qualified student, entering the sophomore year, who plans to major in a field of study related to Agriculture, Forestry, Environment, Horticulture, Natural Resources and Wildlife Technology. This scholarship, administered by Garrett College Foundation, is to be used for tuition and books. As of June 1, 2012, the amount of this annual award is $1,000.
The scholarship for 2019-20 was presented to Stephen Jones; for 2020-21 Brady O’Brien is the recipient. In preparation for the coming year another $1,000 check was presented to the Garrett College Foundation in June. As of 2015-16, an additional $250 is budgeted annually for adult continuing education in courses or workshops related to the same fields listed above, as well as for any of the NGC education courses. Donations by the community at large are 501(C)3 tax deductible.
Scholarship Committee with the 2019 recipient Stephen Jones
