¡Three Amigos! or What Garden Writers Means to Me

Proud to wear the badge!

Next week I get to go to the Garden Writers National Symposium in Pittsburgh.  I‘ve been a member of this organization for about 15 years and to say it changed my life would be an understatement. Each year we meet in a different city. There is a quirky trade show the first two nights with some folks dressed in crazy costumes and visitors sipping cocktails while trying to spot the latest gardening trends. There is a solid line up of educational seminars taught by the best in the business. And, there are tours, tours to the most beautiful public and private gardens in the United States.

The first time I met Dan in person - GWA 2006

Because I lived in Holland for such a long time, I hadn’t seen much of the U.S. Garden Writers opened my mind to all the beauty our country has to offer. It has taken me away from my desk and surrounded me with people that love horticulture as much as I do. I always come home feeling refreshed and excited. Over the years I’ve made the most amazing friendships, not least of which was my husband Dan Benarcik of Chanticleer Gardens. I’m counting the days to hug my old friends and welcome new ones into my life.

GWA is better than match.com

I’m especially excited this year because I will be exhibiting with two other companies that I believe in whole heartedly; Organic Mechanics Soil Company and Suståne Natural Fertilizer. We are the ¡Three Amigos! Our tag line will be “Together We can Make a Difference.” We believe that together as a team, together as garden communicators and together as good citizens we can make positive changes to our environment.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

― Margaret Mead

Bringing Life to Your Garden!

Have Fun Out There, Peggy Anne

A New Environmental Film - Hometown Habitat!

They Need Your Help to Produce This Film

Bee Part of the Action - Make Your Donation Today!

Catherine Zimmerman (The MeadowProject) has teamed up with Doug Tallamy and the Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council to produce a new film on native plants called Hometown Habitat! This 90-minute documentary focuses on how and why native plants are critical to the survival and vitality of local ecosystems.  Entomologist Doug Tallamy provides the narrative and sounds the alarm about habitat and species loss. The message: “We can change the notion that humans are here and nature is some place else.  It doesn’t have to, and shouldn’t be that way.” Each individual has the power to conserve resources, restore habitat for wildlife and bring beauty to their patch of earth.  

See Catherine’s interview with author/entomologist Doug Tallamy

I'm so proud of American Beauties Native Plants for being the very first organization to sponsor a minute of this important film!

  Would your company like to sponsor a minute? Make a tax deductible donation today!

“Donating funds to make this documentary film possible was the right thing to do. It’s important work, and what better way to convey the message about native plants, pollinators and larval foods than by seeing the relationship first hand.Surely, if a picture is worth a thousand words, then a movie is worth a million.”- Steve Castorani Co-owner of American Beauties Native Plants

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“By sponsoring a minute of production, American Beauties becomes the first organization to support the making of Hometown Habitat. We are thrilled!  We can not travel to tell these inspiring habitat hero stories without the financial backing from organizations and individuals, who are dedicated to promoting native plants. Thanks American Beauties for helping us kick this off!”

 - Catherine Zimmerman

About The Author

Today Show Interview with Catherine

Catherine Zimmerman, an award-winning director of photography, has over 30 years of experience in documentary filmmaking with an emphasis on education and environmental issues. Environmental videos of hers include global warming documentaries for CNN Presents and New York Times Television; Save Rainforests/Save Lives, Freshfarm Markets, Wildlife Without Borders: Connecting People and Nature in the Americas, and America’s Sustainable Garden: United States Botanic Garden.

Bringing Life to Your Garden!

Have fun out there!

Peggy Anne