Dig This!

Gateway Gardeners and Businesses in the News

Awards Honor Conservationists

Last February, The Conservation Federation of Missouri recognized two prominent leaders for their contributions to state conservation efforts.

First, the CFM presented its Conservationist of the Year Award to Carol Davit, executive director of the Missouri Prairie Foundation (MPF). As the CFM website states, this award recognizes “the most outstanding overall conservation effort and achievement, most significant contribution to the cause of conservation or toward a solution of a major conservation problem in the state during the year.” In 2022, and since she began as executive director with MPF in 2011, Davit has focused on protecting one of the planet’s most imperiled ecosystems—prairie, which in Missouri, has dwindled from 15 million acres up until statehood to fewer than 50,000 scattered, original acres today. Missouri’s original prairie remnants are extremely biologically diverse and of critical conservation importance.

“Carol Davit’s recognition as Conservationist of the Year is very deserving, as she exemplifies what it means to be a true conservationist in this state and beyond,” said Tyler Schwartz, CFM executive director. “Her strong leadership within her organization and can-do attitude when it comes to prairies and other native grasslands will ensure that future generations will get to enjoy them for many decades to come.”

Under her leadership, MPF’s prairie acquisitions have increased from 14 to 32, and are considered among the best managed prairies in the state. The organization became a nationally accredited land trust in 2021, became the home of the Grow Native! native plant marketing and education program in

2012, and in 2015, began administering the Missouri Invasive Plant Council, of which Davit serves as chair. MPF has significantly amplified the prairie protection message through dramatically increased outreach, advocacy, support for prairie research, and educational programming.

“Receiving this award is a great honor, and humbling, considering Missouri’s storied history of conservation achievements,” said Davit. “This recognition is really a reflection of MPF’s excellence. It is thanks to the board leadership and structure of the organization, as well as its supporters, volunteers, and my fellow staff members and respected colleagues with other groups that I have been able to thrive in my career with the organization. The MPF community is steadfast in its commitment to protecting prairie, as well as promoting the use of native plants through its Grow Native! program. We are able to achieve our goals because we are serious about excellence in governance, fundraising, board and staff development, education, and science-based biodiversity protection.”

Also accepting a recognition of Forrest Keeling Nursery for the CFM Corporate Conservationist of the Year award was Kim Lovelace Hainsfurther, Forrest Keeling president. Kim reflected, “For 75 years. . .we’ve learned about plants and their ecosystems. We’ve seen the devastation of floods and other natural events. Seen the damage done by the hand of man. But we’ve also stood awestruck by nature’s response to conservation efforts.

“With patience and respect, [Forrest Keeling] worked with nature, coaxing her to share her secrets. Allowing us and our clients to co-create with her. Over time, we learned about much more than plants. We learned about interconnections of clear water, fresh air and

vibrant, living soil.

“We are only brief guardians of the land. Working with our clients, we’ve played a role in restoring the earth ‘one tree at a time’. Together, healing our planet, while healing ourselves. And continuing to grow.”

The Conservation Federation of Missouri was established in 1935. Among CFM’s triumphs is the creation of the esteemed Missouri Department of Conservation. In 1976, CFM spearheaded passage of the conservation sales tax. Almost 50 years later the tax continues to create stable funding for Missouri’s natural resources.

Planthaven Farms Expands in Olivette

Olivette about 12 years ago to serve gardeners in the central St. Louis County region. In 2017, they added the Oakville garden center and greenhouses. They grow most of their stock themselves in the O’Fallon greenhouses.

Conifer Enthusiasts to Meet in Kansas City

Planthaven Farms has moved and expanded one of its three locations. Building on its businesses in O’Fallon, Missouri and Oakville, owner Pauline Cella moved the seasonal operation from its pop-up spot on a bowling alley parking lot in Olivette into a year-round operation in a new location just a few hundred feet away on Olive Blvd.

The original location sold a wide selection of plants—but only plants—during the busy spring planting season. The new location at 9504 Olive Blvd. not only is fully stocked with houseplants, but also features an expansive collection of home and garden décor and gifts. And in season, an outdoor patio area will be fully stocked with annuals and perennials as well.

The Cella family purchased its original greenhouses and garden center in O’Fallon, Missouri, over 20 years ago, and subsequently expanded the greenhouses to over 15,000 sq. ft. They added the pop-up location in

St. Louis boasts many beautiful conifer gardens, and conifer enthusiasts here may wish to travel across state to join fellow “cone heads” at the American Conifer Society Central Region Conference & Speaker Series, June 2nd and 3rd. The event, which came to St. Louis in 2019 (see our June 2019 issue at issuu.com/thegatewaygardener for an intro to conifers), is a great opportunity for members and their guests to experience all the gardens, speakers, unique auction conifers and camaraderie for which the ACS Central Region conferences are so well known. The Conference (Fri 4 p.m. - Sat 10 p.m.) features the renowned horticulturist Panayoti Kelaidis (Denver Botanic Gardens) as keynote speaker on Friday evening, coach buses to four beautiful conifer gardens on Saturday, four meals, plus one-of-a-kind conifer auctions. A Speaker Series pre-event (Fri 8 a.m - 2 p.m.) features three presentations and lunch. The theme of the Speaker Series is ‘Conifers and Companion Hobbies’ featuring Brian Boyce, Kathy Schlesinger and Ken Wood. For details, schedules, garden and speaker descriptions, and secure online registration, visit https://conifersociety.org/newsevents/event/2023-central-region-annual-meeting/ DoubleTree by Hilton Conference Center, 10100 College Boulevard, Overland Park, KS

Pre-registration Early Bird rates end April 10th, and registration closes May 10th. For questions, contact Bob Saathoff, Conference CoChair: bobsaathoff@yahoo.com, (785) 640-1482.

Meetings, Classes, Entertainment and More

Updates to this information are often posted on our online events calendar at www. GatewayGardener.com, so check there for the latest details.

Give us the details of your upcoming gardening, lawn or landscaping event and we’ll add it to our website and include it in our next issue. Deadline for printing in the Summer issue (June-August) is May 1st.

How to reach us:

Mail: PO Box 220853, St. Louis, MO 63122

Email: info@gatewaygardener.com

Garden Clubs And Plant Society Meetings

Interested in Joining a Garden Club or Plant Society? We have meeting dates, locations and contact information on more than 50 area garden clubs on our website at www.GatewayGardener.com.

Don’t have access to the internet? Just call us at (314) 968-3740, or write us at PO Box 220853, St. Louis, MO 63122, and we’ll get the information to you. So share your joy for gardening and join a garden club or favorite plant society today!

Fun For Kids

April 1st

9am-Children’s Garden Club. Arbor Day! Planthaven Farms, 6703 Telegraph Rd., 63129.

May 6th

9am-Children’s Garden Club. Mother’s Day Baskets and Planting Veggies. Queeny Park – Nursery #1, 1675 S. Mason Rd. (Queeny Park East Entrance), St. Louis 63131. Sponsored by