The Northwest Louisiana Master Gardeners are proud to announce this year’s recipients of NWLAMG Community Grants. NWLAMG awards grants to organizations and municipalities that support beautification and horticultural education within our community. Of particular interest are projects that make a difference in the community, that are sustainable, and involve collaboration among local organizations. The NWLA Master Gardeners awarded a total of $10,000. The winners of the community grant program are:
Bossier Council on Aging
Bossier Council on Aging - $4000 – The Council on Aging will use the grant to beautify the landscape around the building. They will also create chair high planting boxes for growing herbs and vegetables allowing visitors, whether mobile or wheel chair bound, an opportunity to participate in gardening. As the City of Bossier progresses with the Downtown Bossier Re-development, the Council will see more visitors from out of town, and the grant will be used to offer a more welcoming facility.
MLK Health Center & Pharmacy
Martin Luther King Health Center and Pharmacy- $524 – A previous grant was used to create an environment where healthy options, access to quality foods, and social support are available in one location. Fruit trees and shrubs were also added to the already established vegetable gardens. The new grant will be used to install a drip watering system in the established flowerbeds and raised food producing beds. The Health Center will also install warm season annuals for the beautification portion of their garden center and vegetables for spring planting.
Oakland Cemetery Preservation Society
Oakland Cemetery Preservation Society- $4,476 – The society will continue their beautification by adding landscaping along Washington Street ending at the Sprague Street gates and encompassing much of the cemetery. Oakland Cemetery is home to some of the most beautiful monuments in the area. Coupling those with a garden will be a strong force for attracting visitors. Oakland Cemetery Preservation Society
Red River National Wildlife Refuge
Red River National Wildlife Refuge - $1000 –The mission of the Red River National Wildlife Refuge is to promote and participate in the conservation, enhancement, and appreciation of our native wildlife communities. A grant was given to label the native plants in their pollinator garden, the native plants used as the foundation landscape, and the native trees on the grounds to help educate the community about the scientific and common names of local native plants in a quick and easy format. This will help the community in their selection of native plants and pollinator plants for their landscapes.
The NWLA Master Gardeners launched this program in 2010 as a way to give back to the community after all the support given each year for the Le Tour des Jardins, Fall Bulb Sale, and Spring Plant Sale. The mission of the Master Gardeners is to educate the public about gardening and engage our community in horticultural pursuits. Giving these grants allows them to multiply their efforts by aiding and funding projects envisioned, implemented and maintained by other groups.
For more information on the Community Grant Program or each individual grantee, please call the NWLA Master Gardeners at (318)469-9222.