The Stony Brook Garden Club, celebrating its 85th year, presents The Watershed Institute, central NJ’s first environmental group, protecting clean water and the environment through conservation, advocacy, science and education, with a $15,000 check toward the design and building of The Stony Brook Garden Club House, an outdoor interactive play structure that will help educate young learners in a hands-on play-based way about the environment.”
“We are thrilled and honored to continue to contribute to the Children’s Nature Playground with this grant we received from The New Jersey Committee of Garden Club of America. This new children’s play area nestled within the Watershed Reserve, right next to the Kate Gorrie Butterfly House and Hickory Loop Boardwalk will add to the mission of educating our young community about conservation and preservation, says Carolyn Healey, Stony Brook Garden Club President. She continues, ”Nature play is so essential for our children, and we are very happy to partner with The Watershed Institute’s because their long-term commitment to community education and outreach aligns with our garden club mission and values.”
“We are deeply grateful for this generous donation from the Stony Brook Garden Club,” said Jim Waltman, Executive Director of The Watershed Institute. “The Stony Brook Garden Club House is a fantastic addition to our Tree Frog Trail, which is rapidly becoming a popular attraction on the Watershed Reserve. This interactive playhouse will inspire curiosity and a love for nature in the children who visit, reinforcing our mission to protect and restore our natural environment.”
About The Watershed Institute:
The Watershed Institute, established in 1949, is Central New Jersey’s first environmental group dedicated to protecting and restoring water and the natural environment through conservation, advocacy, science, and education. The Watershed Reserve spans nearly 1,000 acres of forest, meadows, and wetlands and includes a LEED-Platinum environmental center, providing a hub for community engagement and environmental stewardship. For more information about The Watershed Institute, see the website www.thewatershed.org or call Donna Gregory (609) 737-3735.
About Stony Brook Garden Club:
Founded in 1939, the Stony Brook Garden Club is one of Central New Jersey’s oldest and most active garden clubs. The club is committed to promoting horticultural education, conservation, and community service through various projects and initiatives in the region. Members work to enhance the beauty of local communities and to inspire future generations in the stewardship of the environment.
