Reviewed 2010

Since its founding in 1928, the Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. has proudly acknowledged its horticultural stewardship, ever mindful of our verdant heritage and considering it a sacred duty to protect those natural resources so generously loaned to each of us.

Georgia's natural resources are rapidly being depleted. GCG strongly believes our public lands and resources should be managed under a mandate of conservation stewardship for future generations.

Legislation must be put into place which protects public lands and their resources, together with responsible management of them. GCC supports legislation authorizing county and municipal governments to establish trust funds for parks and greenspace, river protection, and scenic vistas.

GCG urges partnerships with community groups, landowners and governments to provide adequate funding for protection, reclamation and management of publicly owned land. GCG supports an increase in lands designated as wilderness, expanded protection of free-flowing stretches of rivers and vigorous preservation of wetlands. GCC encourages creation of urban parks, gardens, and greenspaces.

GCC strongly supports efforts to safeguard biodiversity at all times, with emphasis on sound management of such resources as water, timber, minerals and public lands. Resources on public lands should not be sold, traded, or leased for less than the market value.

Therefore, the Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. supports:

• Protection of wetlands, forests and rivers, critical watersheds and conservation of land for watershed protection.
• Fostering biodiversity.
• Designation and increased protection of wilderness areas.
• Conservation of land for watersheds, scenic beauty, and recreation.
• Creation of community parks, greenspace, and scenic vistas.
• Preservation of historic landmarks, landscapes, and working lands.
• Protection of parks and national preserves from exploitation.
• Use of the Land and Water Conservation Fund with its full funding for its intended purpose—the purchase and restoration of public lands.
• Reclamation of damaged lands.
• Control or eradication of invasive plants on public lands.
• Conservation and preservation of flora and fauna, especially native species.
• Enabling legislation authorizing county and municipal governments to establish Trust Funds for parks and greenspace, river protection and scenic vistas.

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