Sue & Mike Sirvinkas

Thank you for this honor, GGPR! Nan and Chris Parson (along with my environmentally conscious children) were our inspiration!

The choices we make today have a direct and immediate effect on the planet!  A native plant landscape and community garden restores the soil, reduces pollution, attracts pollinators, creates beauty, grows tasty food, and enhances our personal and social lives.  We are all stewards of the planet and if we, one by one, make better choices with our time and our land we can insure it will be here and be productive for future generations.
 
We no longer use a gas or electric lawn mower.  We no longer use pesticides or insecticides or put any toxic chemicals into the ground.  Any materials we used were repurposed and thus diverted from a landfill.  Our mulch and wood chips were all donated or sourced from ecologically responsible sources.  We have met many fellow gardeners (and non-gardeners).  We share ideas, plants, and food and drink with others.  It has been a big positive for us physically, mentally, aesthetically and spiritually.  We see and enjoy the fruit of our labor and native plants let the planet heal itself.  We are constantly learning and trying new things too.   Most of all it has been fun to do!

Covid-19 slowed down our Community Garden plan in 2020.  We had twelve raised beds and attracted three neighbors to join us.  There will be more people involved this year. Even the act of starting the garden last year led to meeting others and starting friendships. Thank you, GGPR. Sue & Mike