A BIRD'S PARADISE. Brought to life by local sponsors and area garden enthusiasts and clubs, a local  workshop earned a national award.
(Photo via Facebook)

The garden clubs of the St. Croix District of the Wisconsin Garden Club Federation – which includes clubs across the Chippewa Falls, Baldwin, and New Richmond areas –  received the National Garden Clubs Award of Excellence for the 2023 day-long symposium, “Your Garden – A Bird’s Paradise.”

The workshop, held last year in Menomonie, addressed declining bird populations and how to create bird-friendly backyards and gardens. It was attended by more than 100 people from across the state.

The Award of Excellence – the NGC’s highest honor – recognizes a state garden club for “an outstanding project that involves distinguished coordinated activity involving many clubs in the state.” The project must be both unique and superior in its scope and execution.

The day-long workshop brought together ornithologists, biologists, master gardeners, and conservationists to speak about declining bird populations and how to combat the critical environmental issue by creating bird-friendly gardens filled with native flowers and grasses. It featured tours of three gardens and supplied each attendee with four free native plants to take home.

Attendees learned how to design sustainable gardens and outdoor spaces as food-rich and safe habitats to attract birds, hummingbirds, and other pollinators to help mitigate their decline. These spaces are becoming especially important as more land is cleared for development.

The event was brought to life through the financial support and encouragement of local groups including Eau Claire Garden Club, Eau Claire Master Gardeners, St. Croix Valley Bird Club, Thrivent, and Tropical Wings.

For folks interested in getting involved with the Wisconsin Garden Club Federation and local groups or events, visit the St. Croix District’s webpage.

Learn more about the Wisconsin Garden Club Federation and St. Croix District online • For information on upcoming area workshops, contact Debby Walters at bbbgardenclub@gmail.com or Susan Wallace at naffer65@gmail.com