• To educate our members in horticulture, floral design, and environmental protection.
• To establish and maintain botanical gardens in the City of Marco Island.
• To educate the community, newcomers and residents to the unique sub-tropical growing conditions of Marco Island.
• To increase knowledge of the enviroment and how to protect it.
• To work for the beautification of Marco Island.
• To further horticultural education and conservation in local schools.
• To provide all members with basic knowledge and skills in floral design and horticulture.
• To stimulate members’ interests and participation in the educational efforts of the club and its fellowship activities.
• To support and further the objectives of the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs through District IX.

SUMMER SIZZLING ACTIVITIES!  COME SEE WHAT WE’RE ALL ABOUT!!

Now is the time to get active with the Calusa Garden Club!  These Committees are open and ready for your involvement!    Give new meaning to Calusa Garden Club because of your exceptional ideas and knowledge and get to know your club community!  Let’s have a fun and exciting club year!  Become engaged with:   

AWARDS — CLUB MARKETING & SALES — FIELD TRIPS

FLORIDA ARBOR DAY — HOME GARDEN TOUR — JUNIOR GARDENERS

MEMBER LUNCHES — PUBLICITY — TEA

WEBSITE ADMIN — YEARBOOK UPDATES

All these committees have been chaired by experienced members and can mentor, advise, and assist you!  Enjoy the committee perks – being a chair gives you a voice at Board meetings; you can be involved in discussions and matters that affect the club.  

Another opportunity to be a Board member is to fill one of the Officer vacancies in February 2023.  

Any member that wishes to attend a Board meeting to observe may do so.  If you would like to attend our next Board meeting, which is via Zoom on August 15 at 10:00 a.m., please let me know and I will send you the meeting link.

Click Here to eMail Me today and let me know how you want to be involved this year!   New and better ideas make a big difference!  Let’s have true satisfaction this club year!

President – Susan Neustadt

LET’S MAKE IT A WIN-WIN YEAR!

Our Calusa Garden Club derives its name from the Calusa Indians who lived in Key Marco and other parts of southwest Florida. Archaeological finds indicate that the Calusas populated this area for over 5000 years.

The Calusas were tall, statuesque people, both brave and skillful. Key Marco provided them a rich harvest from the sea and the land. Freedom from the pressures of searching for food gave them the opportunity to experiment with new technologies, ceremonialism and artistic expression.

The forest provided game and fowl for food, and woods for building and carving materials such as utensils, canoes and religious items. Palms and vines provided fiber for ropes and nets as well as being made into breechcloths for the men.  Women wore apron-like garments of Spanish moss.

The sea offered a constant harvest of fish and a shimmering highway to distant places. Shell mounds and earthworks were used in ceremonial and religious rites.

An archaeological expedition to Key Marco in 1895-6 was sponsored by Dr. William Pepper of the University of Pennsylvania and Mrs. Phoebe Hearst. It is famous for its significant and exotic discoveries.

Excavated from the preservative coastal muck at the north end of the island were such finely crafted artifacts as fishing nets, shafted tools, painted wooden masks, tablets, amulets and carved wooden bowls and figurines, the most famous being the Key Marco Cat.

Today, the proud Calusa no longer exist. In the 17th and 18th centuries they died in great numbers from disease and in battle with the Spaniards, and later with the English and other Indian peoples. It is thought some survivors might have migrated to Cuba.

Blue Zones Project is a community-wide well-being improvement initiative to help make healthy choices easier for everyone in Southwest Florida and right here on Marco Island.  The Calusa Garden Club is a participating member organiaztion for the Blue Zones Project.

The Blue Zones Project encourages changes to our community that lead to healthier options that contribute to huge benefits for all of us: lowered healthcare costs, improved productivity, and ultimately, a higher quality of life.

Link Below to the Blue Zones Personal Pledge and to SW Florida’s Blue Zones Website.