Central Region

PENNY PINES PROGRAM

Member Clubs of National Garden Clubs, Inc. are invited to participate in a meaningful and practical conservation project called the PENNY PINES PROGRAM. The program started in California in 1941 and is a Reforestation / Forest Education Program in partnership with the National Forest Service. This program made its debut with NGC in May 2003 and we are working diligently to spread the word to ensure continued and increased Penny Pines plantation plantings. Plantations are sites planted on burned over and brush covered areas to provide soil protection and stabilization, watershed protection, future harvestable timber as well as beauty and shade for recreation. Damaged areas are replanted with trees indigenous to the area, not just pine trees. Under a conservation agreement, the Forest Service will do the planting, using your donation together with Federal funds, and will provide to the plantation the same protection from fires, insects, and disease given other forested areas.

We encourage all clubs to make a $68.OO donation to this valuable program!

I can hear your reactions now. “Why in the world $68.00?” When the Penny Pines Program started in 1941, a Sports Woman's Club was working with a group of school children on a reforestation program. At that time, pine seedlings cost one penny each and one acre consisted of 680 seedlings. Hence, the first donations the children raised were in the amount of $6.80 for each acre planted. Over the past 60 plus years, the amount has been increased to $68.00 to allow for increased costs but still remember and honor those first donations.

For each $68.00 contribution, you will receive a Penny Pines Certificate from National Garden Clubs, Inc. made “In Honor of ________” or “In Memory of ________” a special someone who has made a difference in the world, just by being in it.

A form is attached to be included with all contributions of $68.00 (or multiples of). You may designate a specific State that you wish to have benefit from your contribution or simply allow sites to be selected by the National Forest Service.

Penny Pines Awards will be presented each year at the NGC Convention to States which have donated the greatest number of Plantations and whose clubs have demonstrated the most ingenuity in promoting education in conservation by creating public awareness of the need to protect and manage our National Forest resources. Remember, the Penny Pines Program helps Plant, Protect and Promote the beauty of our Country and its many National Forests.

To send donations for Penny Pines:

1. Have participants make Checks payable to: NGC- Penny Pines
in the amount of $68.00 (or multiples of)

Mail check and copy of form to:

National Garden Clubs, Inc.
National Headquarters
4401 Magnolia Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63110-3492

2. Send a copy of the completed form to:

Cheryl Smith, NGC Penny Pine Chairman
3312 Admiralty Dr., Huntington Beach, CA 92649-2802

Or e-mail form information to: sisemail@earthlink.net

These donations are used by the USDA Forest Service or State Forester to replant burnt or otherwise damaged trees in conjunction with federal funds. Seedlings are replacement and /or trees native to that particular area, not necessarily of the pine variety.

In order for your donation to be properly noted please click HERE and print out the form to be completed. Thank you for your participation in this wonderful program which helps Plant, Protect and Promote the Beauty of our Country.

Barbara Sylvester,