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Community event to showcase conservation efforts, plant sale and renowned speaker

 

COLUMBUS—The Gardening for Life Project is holding its second annual GFL Celebration on Saturday, March 30. The project is an all-volunteer initiative that works to preserve and protect biodiversity in the Carolina Foothills.

“Our focus is to raise awareness about the ways we can all make a difference to support the biodiversity and beauty of the Foothills by making smart choices right in our yards and neighborhoods,” said Corrie Woods of the Gardening for Life Project Leadership Team. “Conservation begins right at home!”

The free community event will have over twenty conservation-focused exhibitors, a native plant sale with some of the region’s finest growers, and will feature speaker Jim McCormac, an award-winning author, botanist, conservationist and photographer. McCormac’s presentation will run from 2:30 to 4 p.m., and the rest of the event is open to explore exhibits, visit with friends and stock up on native plants to fill visitor’s gardens. 

“Last year we organized and hosted the first GFL Celebration. Over 700 folks from across the Southeast attended and our speaker was renowned conservationist Doug Tallamy,” Woods said. “Last year’s event was such a hit that we decided to do it again.”

Registration for this year’s event opened Thursday, February 1, and as of February 5, all 700 tickets had been reserved. Interested parties can join the waitlist for tickets at gardeningforlifeproject.org.

“Though our event is a sell-out, news about this initiative and all of the community buzz and support it is giving helps us to reach more folks with inspiration and education, provides a good story for the community, and highlights the good work of local businesses who are championing this cause,” Woods said. 

The 2024 Gardening for Life Project Celebration will be held at Polk County High School in Columbus from noon to 5 p.m. 

GFLP would like to thank New View Realty, Claussen Walters Real Estate and Conserving Carolina for their sponsorship.