What We Do
Milwaukee District Garden Clubs (MDGC) is involved in numerous projects, programs and activities. MDGC members help coordinate and volunteer at the Habitat for Humanity plant share, and we participate in Wisconsin Garden Club Federation (WGCF) and the National Garden Clubs' (NGC) projects – especially the Blue/Gold Star Memorial Markers. For the last couple of years, our Director Diane Olsen's district project has been "It's All Connected" – the Hank Aaron State Trail.
In addition to awarding MDGC scholarships, we promote NGC's three youth projects: 1) the well known Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl poster contest, 2) writing poetry and essays and 3) creating sculptures.
In addition to awarding MDGC scholarships, we promote NGC's three youth projects: 1) the well known Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl poster contest, 2) writing poetry and essays and 3) creating sculptures.
Milwaukee Habitat Honors MDGC's Former Plant Share Chairman
Judy helps a Habitat homeowner at the 2022 plant share.
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For many years, Judy Newman chaired the Milwaukee District Garden Clubs Habitat for Humanity committee. She helped coordinate the annual MDGC's plant share until she passed in December 2023. To honor Judy's work and dedication, Milwaukee Habitat created and gave the Judy Newman Building Beauty Awards this year. Read more about the awards and Judy's work at milwaukeehabitat.org/the-judy-newman-building-beauty-awards.
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More than 100 Habitat Homeowners at Plant Share
On June 1, Milwaukee District Garden Clubs held its annual plant for Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity. Susan Miller who is chairman of the event, was pleased with the great turnout of homeowners and garden club volunteers.
"We had volunteers working May 30 and 31 to gather, mark and place the plants so everything was ready for when we opened the doors on June 1," Susan says. "There were more than 100 Habitat Homeowners who came and were able to get plants for their yards and gardens."
Diane Olsen, MDGC Director, adds, "This was Susan's first year as chairman of our Habitat Plant Share and she did a great job. We appreciate everything she did and all the donations and help that our garden club members did to make this project a success."
"We had volunteers working May 30 and 31 to gather, mark and place the plants so everything was ready for when we opened the doors on June 1," Susan says. "There were more than 100 Habitat Homeowners who came and were able to get plants for their yards and gardens."
Diane Olsen, MDGC Director, adds, "This was Susan's first year as chairman of our Habitat Plant Share and she did a great job. We appreciate everything she did and all the donations and help that our garden club members did to make this project a success."
Blue/Gold Star Memorial Markers
Milwaukee District Garden Clubs is raising funds for a Blue Star By-Way Marker on the Hank Aaron Trail. The marker will be located near the MDGC's ADA accessible bench that was installed July 12 on a trail head access point in West Allis near state fair park around 84th street. Donations for the Blue Star Marker may be sent to Kerry Krokos, MDGC Treasurer.
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MDGC planted red, white and blue perennials at the Blue Star Memorial Marker June 17 on the grounds of the Milwaukee VA Medical Center across from the Fischer House. Nancy Gregory, MDGC Blue/Gold Star Marker Chair, coordinated the planting.
Nancy used funds from Lynn Ehnert's Director's project to buy seven Knock Out roses, 48 sedums and 24 Lion's paws. She worked with Paul Brunette, the VA grounds keeper (pictured on the right in bottom photo), who provided mulch and soil amendments. In addition to volunteers from the Town & Country Garden Club, 12 members of IBEW Local 2150 Electrical Workers Minority Caucus (led by their Secretary/Treasurer Doreen Reske in green vest in bottom photo) provided the muscle and helped with the clearing of the beds and digging holes for the perennials. Click HERE to learn more about the history of the Blue/Gold Star Memorial Markers and how involved garden clubs have been in establishing and caring from them in Wisconsin and across the nation. |
It's All Connected – Hank Aaron Trail
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Milwaukee District Garden Clubs raised funds for an ADA bench on the Hank Aaron Trail that was installed July 12 at the Hank Aaron Trail Head access point located at South 89th and West Schlinger Avenue in West Allis.
As MDGC Director, Diane Olsen's project the last four years has been to help develop the Hank Aaron Trail. Under Diane's leadership, MDGC raised funds for the ADA bench and the three native American Plum trees that were planted near the bench. Constructed of recycled plastic lumber. the bench has a plaque commemorating the MDGC donation. The Department of Natural Resources will maintain the area around the bench and water the plum trees. |
At the installation of the bench on the Hank Aaron Trail were (left to right, back row) Norma McReynolds, Susan Miller, Kerry Krokos, Diane Olsen and Lynne Ehnert and (sitting on the bench) Nancy Gregory and Kitty Larkin.
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A world-class urban trail, the Hank Aaron State Trail is a 14-mile paved, continuous east-to-west connection from the shores of Lake Michigan to the Milwaukee/Waukesha county line and the Oak Leaf Trail. You'll find some of Milwaukee's top destinations along the route as well as a variety of environments ranging from urban, to river views, to prairie and wooded surroundings.
In addition to the bench, MDGC was a major contributor to the "People of the Roads" sculptures that honors the railroad workers who carried Milwaukee’s name across the country on rails. |
Elm Grove Garden Club planted a Red Oak in honor of Carole Hopp in the Three Bridges Park on the trail,
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Western Acres Garden Club honored Colleen Weiler with a Sugar Maple memorial tree on the Hank Aaron Trail.
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Educational Programs
Education is a large component of the MDGC. Our clubs offer educational programs to members and the public on new plant varieties, garden pests and diseases, pruning, wine tasting, nature walks through public gardens and arboreta, fun with flowers workshops and more. And, of course, gardening tips are always available from fellow members. One of our most popular educational programs for youth is the Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl poster contest that garden clubs help coordinate every year.
National Garden Clubs Schools
Many of our members attend the officially-approved National Garden Clubs, Inc (NGC) courses in landscape design, environmental studies, garden studies and floral design/flower show. Offered on a rotating basis, these courses or “schools” are provided about every six months for two years with two-days of classroom presentations and tours at each session.
Environmental Study School
Currently, the Wisconsin Garden Club Federation (WGCF) is offering an Environmental Study School with NGC oversight. The first first session was held Oct. 20 to 21, 2023 at the Maywood environmental Center in Sheboygan. Participants learned about ecology, biodiversity, backyard habitat, sustainability and various environmental issues and toured the center
Many of our members attend the officially-approved National Garden Clubs, Inc (NGC) courses in landscape design, environmental studies, garden studies and floral design/flower show. Offered on a rotating basis, these courses or “schools” are provided about every six months for two years with two-days of classroom presentations and tours at each session.
Environmental Study School
Currently, the Wisconsin Garden Club Federation (WGCF) is offering an Environmental Study School with NGC oversight. The first first session was held Oct. 20 to 21, 2023 at the Maywood environmental Center in Sheboygan. Participants learned about ecology, biodiversity, backyard habitat, sustainability and various environmental issues and toured the center
Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl Poster Contest
The 2024 Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl poster contest is dedicated to Smokey Bear’s 80th Birthday. Hosted by the National Garden Clubs, Inc. and the U.S. Forest Service, the poster contest is for children from first to fifth grade. For more information, visit the National Garden Clubs, Inc., or the U.S. Forest Service.
The 2024 Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl poster contest is dedicated to Smokey Bear’s 80th Birthday. Hosted by the National Garden Clubs, Inc. and the U.S. Forest Service, the poster contest is for children from first to fifth grade. For more information, visit the National Garden Clubs, Inc., or the U.S. Forest Service.
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Milwaukee District Garden Clubs (MDGC) was founded in 1932 as a part of the Wisconsin Garden Club Federation which is a member of National Garden Clubs, Inc. and its Central Region. A not-for-profit educational organization, we serve gardeners in Dodge, Jefferson, Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Walworth, Washington and Waukesha counties who are gardening for good in our communities.
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