Garden club members environmentalists

It's a misconception to think that the Gulf Coast Garden Club is made up of a bunch of little old ladies in funny hats growing pretty flowers.

No, they are nature lovers willing to do what it takes to save the environment and make it s aesthetically pleasing for everyone to enjoy.

"In Southwest Florida, it's a blessing and a challenge to be able to plant something and see it grow," said Suzy Valentine of Bonita Springs.

The woman from New Jersey grew a love of gardening after going to a garden show as a child. "My personal thing is to take what falls off trees and make it beautiful."

Her knack for growing and gardening is what cemented Valentine in the club and allowed her to become an incoming president in the coming season.

"I think that I can really add a lot to the club. There are a lot of things that I want to do and that (members) can all share," Valentine said.

Valentine is the incoming president of the group that has been around for about three years.

The membership is normally seasonal but Valentine is hoping to change that by adding activities year round.

"Few of us live here permanently so I want to share our experience with everybody and have something for everybody all the time," she said.

Being able to offer something for every member is why Valentine is planning trips to preserves, workshops on gardening and lessons on exotic plants.

"A lot of our members are from out of state and they move here and what worked there doesn't work here. Here we are in a different zone and they have to learn new techniques," said Valentine, adding that many communities in the area don't allow residents to plant in the ground. "They have lanais and you can grow all kinds of things."

Reducing the use of chemicals and unnatural ways of growing is part of the club's mission when educating the public about nature and growing.

"We have a big thrust in promoting water workshops for awareness and the proper use of chemicals," said Valentine, who lived in tropical Brazil for more than 30 years and taught gardening around Latin America for several years. "I see the beauty in nature."

The Gulf Coast Garden Club is a member of the National Garden Clubs Inc., which has state groups and smaller associations across the country and the world.

According to Valentine, the garden club has been instrumental in keeping safe watering practices on golf courses, reducing the number of billboards in cities and promoting recycling.

"The idea is to educate by offering membership in the club and having programs that are open to the public," she said. "There is something for everyone in this club. The kids can become aware of good stuff (for the environment) and older people can stay connected."