The Bloomfield Garden Club was presented the National Garden Club President’s Special Projects Award for its Service in the Action-BeeGAP (Bee Gardeners Adding Pollinators) Project. The presentation and a gift of $200 was made by Kathleen Marty, state awards chairwoman of The Garden Club Federation of Maine during the club’s July meeting, according to a news release from the local club.

While learning about the decline in pollinators through state club activities and media, including a lecture by University of Maine Professor Alison Dibble at the GCFM Fall Conference, club members created a pollinator display and information binder, and purchased Crown Bee mason bee nesting boxes to sell at the club’s annual spring plant sale in Skowhegan.

The Bloomfield Garden Club was presented the National Garden Club President's Special Projects Award for its Service in the Action-BeeGAP Project. From left are Pam Partridge, Debra Burnham, Kathleen Marty, state awards chairwoman of the Garden Club Federation of Maine, and Jeanne Shay. Contributed photo

Information about the plight of pollinators such as the honey bee, and what gardeners can do to support less known native pollinators in home gardens, has been shared with plant buyers for several years. They also gave several presentations on pollinators to area groups. The purpose of the BeeGAP project is to increase awareness and support native pollinators by growing plants they prefer and provide nesting environments, according to the release.

The Gloria Bryson Burrill Tree Award, a state award for a tree planting project, with a cash award of $50, also was given to the club for planting a mountain ash tree in Coburn Park in memory of a past member.

Both awards were first announced at the GCFM June 2017 Convention in Falmouth.

For more information about the Skowhegan club, email jeannefshay@gmail.com.

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