RECOGNIZING OUR VOLUNTEERS The RI Wild Plant Society gives out awards to honor the good work of our volunteers. We value their contributions. Volunteer of the Year Award This award is given to a Rhode Island Wild Plant Society member who has unfailingly dedicated their efforts toward the betterment of the Society as a whole. 2005 – Garry Plunkett 2006 - Kim Bothelo & Jules Cohen 2007 – Mary Lou Upham 2008 -- Patricia Cahalan & Cynthia Gianfrancesco 2009 – Bob & Shirley Anderson 2010 – Christine Kalina Lifetime Service Award This award is given to a Rhode Island Wild Plant Society member who has unfailingly dedicated their efforts toward the betterment of the Society as a whole for a minimum of 10 years. 2005 – Betty Salomon, Betsy Keiffer & Dorothy Swift 2006 – Jerry Melaragno 2007 – Lisa Gould, Rick Enser & Jules Cohen 2008 – Dick Donnelly & Judith Ireland 2009 – 2010 – Mabel (Sindy) Hempstead

May 2010

Our organization continues to grow and we are sorting out the tasks we want to address. That is producing an opportunity for volunteer services – most of them for a short duration.

Following are a number of possibilities:

PLANT SALE
Sandra Thompson is coordinating and recruiting folks for the always popular plant sale. She might very well need more help. Even promises coffee and donuts. Needs folks on Friday 5/7 and Saturday 5/8. Contact Sandra at 884-9483 or sandpault@cox.net .

ALDRICH HOUSE GARDEN -- Providence
Graham Gardner could us a crew of several people to help with the Spring clean-up the garden at the Aldrich House in Providence, and then to wrap it up in the Fall. May be some minor intermittent pruning, etc., as well. Aldrich House houses the RI Historical Society and is at the corner of Cooke and Benevolent Streets. Please contact Graham at 265-6986 or graham@gardnerwoodwrights.com.

AUDUBON ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER GARDEN-- Bristol
I suspect that Cheryl Cadwell and Sally Woodruff could use some help caring for the garden at the Audubon in Bristol. If interested, why not contact Cheryl at 949-4030 ccadwell@cox.net ; or Sally at 245-2390 or sarawood@cox.net .

PROGRAMS
Angela Deller, our Vice President for Program is always looking for folks who want to help with program matters – speaking engagements, logistical support, etc. Feel free to contact Angela at 274-6571 or angela.deller@cox.net.

There will be other opportunities as well. These should be enjoyable functions, working with some great people. How about participating?

Jules Cohen
President

 MESSAGE TO MEMBERS FROM JULES COHEN, PRESIDENT-ELECT
   CLICK HERE

 RIWPS NEEDS YOU!
The RI Wild Plant Society needs volunteers to assist with a wide range of activities throughout the state. You can choose to help occasionally or regularly, as your schedule permits. No experience is necessary.

This is a great opportunity to learn, make new friends, share with others who have similar interests, while promoting the conservation of native plants in RI

These are a few committees that could use your help:

• Education
• Plant Sales
• Publications
• RI Flower & Garden Show
• Seed Starters

 EDUCATION COMMITTEE
This committee offers a slide show entitled "Gardening with Wildflowers." RIWPS has brought this excellent presentation to senior centers, garden clubs and libraries throughout the state. We need volunteers who may be retired teachers or others who are comfortable speaking in front of groups. A script and training will be provided. This is a great way to help us spread the word about incorporating native plants into backyard gardens. It should be fun! Angela Deller, contact her at 401-274-6571, or angela.deller@cox.net.

 PLANT SALE COMMITTEE
Our 2010 Plant Sale is shaping up to be the best ever, offering an extraordinary selection of native plants, perennials, annuals, and shrubs. The Seed Starters have already begun starting the seeds and potting the plants for the sales. Each plant sale is a tremendous undertaking, and we always need enthusiastic workers. If you would like to help, either at a sale, with preparations, or with planning, please contact Chairman Marcia Pena at 401-921-3267, or mahciap@gmail.com.

 PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE
This committee oversees the preparation and production of all RIWPS publications including the website, pamphlets, fact sheets, brochures, and the Society newsletter, Wildflora . We are looking for help with all aspects of production, writing, editing, layout, selling advertising, photography, web design and mailing. For more information, contact Editor Dick Fisher at 401-635-2590, or richard.fisher2@verizon.net.

 RI FLOWER & GARDEN SHOW COMMITTEE
We have all been to the flower show and appreciated the beauty and naturalism of the RIWPS display garden. In fact our garden has won several awards. Have you ever wondered how it all happened? This committee will give you a chance to go behind the scenes and help plan, build and plant the garden. Be a part of this exciting project and be inspired by and learn from the pros. Help is needed with design, plant shopping, forcing, transportation, construction, planting, education, docent recruitment and publicity. Chairman - Jules Cohen (401) 294-6617 or julesacohen@cox.net. This committee meets approximately once a month.

 SEED STARTERS PORTSMOUTH, KINGSTON & PROVIDENCE
RIWPS has three active Seed Starter groups in Kingston, Providence and Portsmouth, RI. We would love to have more people join us! The seed starters propagate most of the plants that we sell at our plant sales . They meet bi-weekly to learn about and grow native plants. One of the best things about these groups is the chance to dig in the dirt all through the winter. When the ground is covered in snow there is nothing like going to the greenhouse and seeing things grow. No experience is required. You don't have to come every time, but a few people would really make a difference.

The Portsmouth group meets the first and third Thursday mornings of each month, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. They carpool from the West Bay region, meeting near the Jamestown Bridge. There are participants from the East Bay region for carpooling also. Call Dorothy Swift (401) 295-1186, dot48@earthlink.net for additional information.

The Providence group meets February to June on a biweekly schedule to be determined each year. Please contact Sarah Keisling at (401) 272-6724 or sarah_keisling@yahoo.com for additional information.

The South County group meets on Wednesday mornings in Exeter. Members come from all over South County so carpooling is always an option. Please contact chairs, Karen Asher at (401) 783-1307, kasher2@cox.net or Catharine King at (401) 284-0672, catharinekng@cox.net for additional information.