Western Colorado Gardening Foundation
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Local Gardening Foundation Receives Grants
The Western Colorado Gardening Foundation (WCGF) received two grants on February 3d in Denver at the Colorado Convention Center from the Colorado Garden Show, Inc.
WCGF Board of Directors members Cece Mac Vittie and Sylvia Sharpe received the awards at the ceremony on the opening day of the Show.
Colorado Garden Show, Inc. supports essential projects throughout Colorado that strengthen and enhance Colorado’s horticulture needs. These grants are provided by annually donating proceeds from the previous year’s Garden and Home Show through a highly competitive grant application process. Thirty-Four organizations throughout Colorado received grants totaling $304,570.
All but three of the 34 grants were awarded to organizations in the eastern half of Colorado. Two of the three grants awarded to western Colorado were granted to the Western Colorado Gardening Foundation.
$20,802 grant was awarded to WCGF to complete the Amphitheater at The Mesa County Arboretum At the Gardens located at the Mesa County Fairgrounds and the Colorado State University Cooperative Extensive Office. The Mesa County Arboretum is a project coordinated by Dr. Curtis Swift, Horticultural Extension Agent. Visit http://MesaCountyArboretum.org for more information.
The Arboretum is one of the educational efforts of Dr. Curtis Swift, Horticultural Extension Agent, Susan Rose and the Tri River Area Master Gardener volunteers. The Arboretum is a 51,000 square foot addition to the 26,000 square feet of gardens already established at this site. The Gardens and Arboretum are designed to introduce new plant materials to the residents of Western Colorado. The amphitheater is a three-tiered facility with seating for at least 150 people designed for outdoor educational programs.
$1,750 grant was awarded to WCGF for landscape renovation for the Tree House project on Chipeta Avenue in Grand Junction.
The purpose of this grant is to improve the landscaping around three Tree House buildings and involve the community and Tree House youth in the process. The emphasis is on horticultural education, therapy and community involvement. This project will provide an outdoor area at Tree House facilities for the youth to enjoy. The youth’s direct participation in the construction of the landscaping will send a powerful message to these young people. This project could be a springboard to anyone of the participants in choosing the Green Industry as a career.
The landscape renovation project will be completed with the use of Tree House staff and the youth it serves along with community service youth, AmeriCorps and adult volunteers, as well as members of the Western Colorado Gardening Foundation, many of which are CSU Mesa County Master Gardeners. Other entities participating include the Horticulture Program at the Delta Montrose Technical College and The Career Center at the Colorado Workforce.
For additional information on the Tree House Center for Youth, please contact Terri Klements, Executive Director or Sherry Cole, Member, Board of Directors at 970-241-8001. Visit www.treehousegj.org for more information.
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Last modified: 07/25/07 |
