New Community Foundation fund for local horticultural society.

By Roderick Benns

The Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes has announced the launch of a new fund, in the name of the Fenelon Falls Horticultural Society.

The Fenelon Falls Horticultural Society Fund has been established to raise funds in support of a multitude of horticultural projects in and around Fenelon Falls, today and into the future. Working with community organizations and projects like this, the Community Foundation provides innovative opportunities to invest in the people and needs of Kawartha Lakes, by creating funds that build prosperity now and for future generations.

The newly established Fund is intended to support short and long-term fundraising efforts for many local horticultural society programs and projects in the disciplines of beautification, education, youth, community, environmental preservation and restoration. Since 1920, the Horticultural Society in Fenelon Falls has worked with many local community partners and organizations to create beautiful public spaces for the enjoyment of all residents and visitors alike. The dedicated volunteer membership supports ongoing education and works to increase awareness of and respond to local environmental issues.

Most recently, this avid group of horticulturalists has worked with the Fenelon Falls Chamber of Commerce, Trent-Severn Waterway, Kawartha Conservation, Langton Public School, Fenelon Falls High School, City of Kawartha Lakes, Maryboro Museum, and The Grove Theatre, to create beautiful and practical spaces to better enjoy the natural beauty in the community.

The pandemic restrictions imposed over the last year has not dampened the spirits of the well organized group of volunteers. Quite the contrary, it has spurred them to reinvent and innovate the ways they do their work. This year, Zoom meetings became the norm, welcoming a greater number of participants to their regular news sharing and information gathering sessions. In 2021, the Horticultural Society has joined the Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes, with the ambitious goal of maximizing their philanthropic impact, while minimizing the administrative burden of raising money, creating legacies and ensuring long term growth and stability.

Rather than cancel the plant sale, a popular event among all local gardeners looking for something new to add to their flower beds and vegetable gardens, this year look out for the ‘Not a Plant Sale’ – Adopt a Plant Event . You can place an order from a list of plantings and arrangements can be made for pickup of orders in Fenelon on the weekend of May 28, 29, 30.

On May 31 at 7 pm, join in to experience “In Your Yard – A Journey of Bugs and Weeds” with speaker Catherine McGill. For a link to the presentation contact: .

The Victory Garden is now in full planting mode, growing produce for the Fenelon Falls Food Bank. With spring clean up now in full gear, work has started at the gardens that Fenelon Falls Horticultural Society members traditionally care for.

Mary Carr, FFHS fund chair explains, “Spring is always the most exciting time of the year for gardeners who have waited and planned all winter for the return of warm weather. After a long COVID winter, we are especially excited to get out and work on our garden projects this spring. Our new affiliation with the Community Foundation will help us implement some of the programs we have been dreaming about to involve and engage members of our community both young and old and promote a Fenelon Falls that is beautiful and a great place to live, work and play, now and into the future.”

If you have a great idea or you want learn more about the Foundation and its philanthropy, contact Margaret Cunningham at 705.731.9775 or email: . For Foundation information, click on www.kawarthafoundation.ca

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