CELEBRATING 60 YEARS IN THE BAY
Whitefish bay
Garden
Club
Growing a Greener Village... One Garden at a Time
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The mission of the Whitefish Bay Garden Club is to stimulate an interest in horticulture and the development of gardens, protect natural surroundings, and beautify civic grounds.
The mission of the Whitefish Bay Garden Club is to stimulate an interest in horticulture and the development of gardens, protect natural surroundings, and beautify civic grounds.
ABOUT US
Since 1958, the Whitefish Bay Garden Club has been protecting natural spaces for wildlife and people, beautifying civic grounds, and stimulating an interest in horticulture and home gardens. In 1968 the Club reached outside of our community to found Riveredge Nature Center in Saukville, a growing and thriving space for learning and experiences grounded in our natural world. Recently we have established several projects in our village: weeding Klode Park, becoming a Bird City, supporting Bay Day, establishing the Cahill Butterfly Garden and the Lydell Community Center garden, remembering our neighbors facing hardships through our Forget-Me-Not program, and hosting the first Garden Walk in the Bay. We are committed to continuing our mission into the next decade: growing a greener village …one garden at a time.
An Open Letter to Our Community
Diversity and inclusion are essential to our mission to stimulate an interest in horticulture and in the development of gardens, to protect natural surroundings, and to beautify civic grounds. Over 60 years ago when the club founded Riveredge Nature Center, we realized that the protection of our environment does not stop at our Village borders and that our efforts of education, outreach, and philanthropy extended beyond our community into the larger world. Today we continue to educate with diverse voices working for a greener environment. We seek to build bridges and support Teens Grow Greens, Alice’s Garden, and others who are working toward a healthier environment. We welcome all members of our village to join us in our mission, no matter their race, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation. We seek to be inclusive and create a diverse club, just as we seek to create an environment rich with diversity.
We are proud to support Black lives and all who face challenges and danger based on race/ethnicity, religion, and sexual orientation, who suffer unwarranted suspicion and injustice, and who experience unhealthy environments. Gardening, supporting birds and pollinators, and careers that work toward a healthier environment should be safe and welcoming to everyone. There is strength in working together in our greater Milwaukee community to create a greener and healthier place for all residents.
Sincerely,
Marisa Allen, Emily Byrnes, Rae Williams Dimilo, Sally Fisher, Mark Flagg, Jill Griffee-Ross, Carolyn Haight, Katie Hermann, Mimi Herrick, Michelle Hill, Marlene Jaglinski, Sandra Johansen, Sandy Kattman, Lane Kistler, Rochelle Layde, Mary Beth Mahoney, Barbara Mann, Kate Mott, Laura Nankin, Anne, O'Connor, Janette Orchard, Cara Raymond, Erin Richardson, Pat Santilli, Terry Schwartz, Emily Siegrist, Mary Caye Smith, Nancy Sturino, Ellen Tripler, Suzie Van Cleave, and Morgan Vilar
We are proud to support Black lives and all who face challenges and danger based on race/ethnicity, religion, and sexual orientation, who suffer unwarranted suspicion and injustice, and who experience unhealthy environments. Gardening, supporting birds and pollinators, and careers that work toward a healthier environment should be safe and welcoming to everyone. There is strength in working together in our greater Milwaukee community to create a greener and healthier place for all residents.
Sincerely,
Marisa Allen, Emily Byrnes, Rae Williams Dimilo, Sally Fisher, Mark Flagg, Jill Griffee-Ross, Carolyn Haight, Katie Hermann, Mimi Herrick, Michelle Hill, Marlene Jaglinski, Sandra Johansen, Sandy Kattman, Lane Kistler, Rochelle Layde, Mary Beth Mahoney, Barbara Mann, Kate Mott, Laura Nankin, Anne, O'Connor, Janette Orchard, Cara Raymond, Erin Richardson, Pat Santilli, Terry Schwartz, Emily Siegrist, Mary Caye Smith, Nancy Sturino, Ellen Tripler, Suzie Van Cleave, and Morgan Vilar
You are invited to our Open Meetings.
Please request an invitation to our Virtual Open Meetings this fall. Include your name, street address, telephone number and email address and the date of the meeting you wish to attend.
- Tuesday, October 13 at 6:30 pm via Zoom. Guest Speakers: Portia Cobb and Melanie Ariens Environmental Activism Art. Melanie Ariens is a Whitefish Bay resident, environmental activist, and the artist-in-residence for Milwaukee Water Commons. Portia Cobb serves as an UWM Art Professor and the artist-in-residence at the Lynden Sculpture Garden.
- Tuesday, November 10th at 6:30 pm via Zoom. Guest Speaker :Michael Schlappi, Marquette University professor speaks about how he cultivated Wisconsin's first commercial rice crop, Red Stone Rice. The development of this rice crop was funded by grants from Marquette University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. His research identified a high-yielding Southern Russian rice variety that could withstand the colder weather in Wisconsin. The first trial was grown on a rooftop garden at Marquette University. In 2017, one acre of rice paddies was established at the Mequon Nature Preserve. Link >>> https://redstonerice.com
Postponed: Artisans in the Garden, garden walk
SAVE THE DATE
Artisans in the Garden
Sunday, July 25, 2021
After a long and careful analysis and consideration, the committee chairs for the 2020 Whitefish Bay Garden Club Garden Walk, Artisans in the Garden, have sadly concluded that the garden walk must be postponed until July 25, 2021. There is just no conceivable way we can hold the walk and ensure the safety of our participants, volunteers, and attendees.
We reviewed the safety guidelines issued by the CDC and the Northshore Health Department. A few of our homeowners on the walk, artisans, and vendors for the marketplace have also reached out to us in the last few weeks sharing their concerns. A survey of our members resulted in an overwhelming majority supporting postponement to next year.
PLEASE CONSIDER THIS YOUR FORMAL INVITATION TO SHARE YOUR GARDENS, VOLUNTEER, PERFORM, AND MARKET YOUR PRODUCTS NEXT JULY 25th! It goes without saying, that we hope you will join us on the adventure again next year. We look forward to celebrating when it is safer, and we are all in a healthier position to gather together.
Check back spring 2021 to purchase tickets and learn more. You can also email us with questions at wfbgardenclub@gmail .
Artisans in the Garden
Sunday, July 25, 2021
After a long and careful analysis and consideration, the committee chairs for the 2020 Whitefish Bay Garden Club Garden Walk, Artisans in the Garden, have sadly concluded that the garden walk must be postponed until July 25, 2021. There is just no conceivable way we can hold the walk and ensure the safety of our participants, volunteers, and attendees.
We reviewed the safety guidelines issued by the CDC and the Northshore Health Department. A few of our homeowners on the walk, artisans, and vendors for the marketplace have also reached out to us in the last few weeks sharing their concerns. A survey of our members resulted in an overwhelming majority supporting postponement to next year.
PLEASE CONSIDER THIS YOUR FORMAL INVITATION TO SHARE YOUR GARDENS, VOLUNTEER, PERFORM, AND MARKET YOUR PRODUCTS NEXT JULY 25th! It goes without saying, that we hope you will join us on the adventure again next year. We look forward to celebrating when it is safer, and we are all in a healthier position to gather together.
Check back spring 2021 to purchase tickets and learn more. You can also email us with questions at wfbgardenclub@gmail .
Seed Library Launch in Partnership with the Whitefish Bay Public Library
The Whitefish Bay Public Library and our garden club have partnered to create a seed library located at the WFB Public Library. Seed packets are available to take and plant in your own garden. For tips on how to start seeds watch our video from club member Carolyn Haight.
Seeds currently available:
The Whitefish Bay Public Library and our garden club have partnered to create a seed library located at the WFB Public Library. Seed packets are available to take and plant in your own garden. For tips on how to start seeds watch our video from club member Carolyn Haight.
Seeds currently available:
- basil
- oregano
- beets
- carrots
- kale,
- lettuce
- radish
- spinach
Silver Spring Park Project
Thanks to Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) for its $15,000 grant, the Fund for Lake Michigan for its $40,000 grant, Sweet Water (Southeastern Wisconsin Watersheds Trust, Inc.) for its $7,500 grant , and to the Wisconsin Garden Club Federation for its grant of $250 awarded to the Club for improvements to be made to Silver Spring Park. Enhancements include: maintaining clean water, reducing soil erosion, removing invasive plants and replacing them with native plants and constructing rain gardens and bioswales on the upper bluff. This will be a lengthy project with two phases. We hope you pop over to check out completion of phase one. A special thank you to the Wisconsin Garden Club Federation for its donation towards our native plants.
Peterson Nest Box Kits
Thanks to the inspiration and efforts of Ben Martin of Arts and Craftsmanship, we have an awesome collaboration to share with you! Peterson nest box kits will be available for purchase at the Whitefish Bay Farmer’s Market! Kits will be available for $20.00 and a preassembled box will be available for $25.00. We accept checks made out to the Whitefish Bay Garden Club and PayPal at wfbgardenclub@gmail.com, choose friends and family to avoid fees. These kits are a great project for families and help support the birds in our community!
Thanks to Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) for its $15,000 grant, the Fund for Lake Michigan for its $40,000 grant, Sweet Water (Southeastern Wisconsin Watersheds Trust, Inc.) for its $7,500 grant , and to the Wisconsin Garden Club Federation for its grant of $250 awarded to the Club for improvements to be made to Silver Spring Park. Enhancements include: maintaining clean water, reducing soil erosion, removing invasive plants and replacing them with native plants and constructing rain gardens and bioswales on the upper bluff. This will be a lengthy project with two phases. We hope you pop over to check out completion of phase one. A special thank you to the Wisconsin Garden Club Federation for its donation towards our native plants.
Peterson Nest Box Kits
Thanks to the inspiration and efforts of Ben Martin of Arts and Craftsmanship, we have an awesome collaboration to share with you! Peterson nest box kits will be available for purchase at the Whitefish Bay Farmer’s Market! Kits will be available for $20.00 and a preassembled box will be available for $25.00. We accept checks made out to the Whitefish Bay Garden Club and PayPal at wfbgardenclub@gmail.com, choose friends and family to avoid fees. These kits are a great project for families and help support the birds in our community!
Peterson Nest Box
Monthly Public Meetings
All meetings are held on Tuesdays. We will list the locations and dates of meetings that are open to the public. Look this fall for next year's public meeting schedule.