We welcomed members to the first ORGC meeting of the year by diving into the heart of the 2017-2018 theme, Functional Gardening:  Plants, Pollinators and Water Conservation.  Margaret Miner, Executive Director of the Rivers Alliance of Connecticut, presented “How Gardening & Landscaping Can Improve Water Quality.”  With 2018 marking the conclusion of the current club term, we also discussed upcoming changes to leadership and by-laws.

Margaret Miner emphasized the intersection of gardening and property management for water protection.  Our decisions as gardeners have a far-reaching impact on the health of rivers, reservoirs, and streams.  Fertilizer run-off has been particularly harmful to water quality.  Homeowners can minimize this damage by reducing lawn area, substituting native ground cover for grass, and restricting fertilizer use.  Margaret also spoke about encouraging vegetated corridors along rivers and streams.

2018 marks the end of our Board of Directors’ 2-year term, giving us the opportunity to vote for new officers and introduce updates to our by-laws.  Changes include an increase in membership dues, update of the club year calendar, a call for proposals for new committees, and a review of the 2018 budget.

As Connecticut works to shrug off the last of its snow, we had only a handful of horticultural arrangements — enough to remind members that spring is just around the corner!  Ruth Pesavento’s table centerpieces of bright daffodils in delicately beribboned glass vases brought a promise of warmer weather.  Members enjoyed a lunch provided by the Board of Directors.