Today's juniors are tomorrow's environmentalists!

Jensen Beach Elementary
The Jensen Beach Elementary Junior Gardeners were started in the early 1980's by the Jensen Beach Garden Club. In 1990, the Juniors Chairman wrote a grant for this program to become a part of the curriculum of the 3rd grade. This group encompasses all of the 3rd grade classes.

In 1997, the Garden Club of Stuart began sponsorship. The youngsters learn about the State tree, flower, wildflower, bird and butterfly. They have hands-on activities including seed planting, creating holiday small designs and dish gardens. Other activities include Glenn Glitter Litter Control posters and essays about "Why I Should Plant a Tree". Noted guests in the community present programs on animals of Florida and conserving the resources. The students have collected funds to adopt a manatee in each class. When the Garden Club of Stuart has a Flower Show they have entered the Youth Division. Over the years they have been winners of youth awards at the FFGC Convention for projects they have completed. Each meeting is open with reciting the National Council Junior Gardeners Pledge as well as the Conservation Pledge.

Awards presented to our Junior Gardener Chairmen, Jane Mills, Sondra Moll & Joan Graff
from FFGC Junior Gardener Chairman Pat Sanford

Bessey Creek Elementary
The Bessey Creek Elementary Gator Gardeners started in 1996 and held their first meeting in November with 115 second graders. They meet twice a month with some working in the Bessey Creek Elementary Official Butterfly Sanctuary. A certificate was presented in April of 1999. The children that aren't in the garden are in the classroom working on planned projects. These projects include seeds, books on poisonous plants, and planters for nursing homes, to name a few. They are also taught about the State tree and bird and butterflies of Florida. They have learned the conservation pledge and recite it at each meeting. Each year they participate in Arbor Day and Earth Day with programs and the planting of a tree. They are a busy group and also participate in our Flower Show. They were presented with the Outstanding Educational Project Award in 1999 from the Keep Martin Beautiful organization.

	Bessey Creek Elementary students help plant a Bauhinia tree for Arbor Day. They sang songs, and spoke about the meaning of Arbor Day, the trees and our forest. They also talked about the tree they helped to plant, Bauhinia.
	Club President, Marty Holland spoke to the students about The Garden Club of Stuart, Joan Graff spoke about the program, Gator Gardeners, and Sandra Moll spoke about the butterfly garden and what Girl Scout Troop 530 has accomplished in the garden.