Our State legislation

Connecticut League of Conservation (CTLCV) works to promote pro-environment legislation at the Connecticut General Assembly. Visit  Connecticut League of Conservation Voters for legislative updates on many issues. 

national affairs

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The GCA hosts The Annual National Affairs and Legislation Conference in Washington, D.C. every February. The main events are two days worth of compelling speakers ranging from conservation nonprofits to congressmen and women from both sides of aisle. Presentations focus on important topics from the GCA's Position Papers as they pertain to relevant legislation, federal administrative actions, and pending judicial issues. 

From the GCA website:  "The NAL and Conservation Committees work in tandem to enhance the GCA mission to 'restore, improve, and protect the quality of the environment through educational programs and action in the fields of conservation and civic improvement.'  Although NAL and Conservation committees meet together, their purposes and functions are different. NAL follows in detail legislation that ultimately affects the above purpose, while Conservation provides education on the environmental issues themselves. Conservation Committee members work with youth, member clubs, and the general public to promote local conservation projects and responsible environmental stewardship." 
March 17-20, 2024, Marie Kennedy attended the NAL Conference in Washington DC. Zone II had 16 delegates representing CT to advocate for the environment. Marie was very impressed with the GCA organization in all aspects of this convention. The group were very well prepared beforehand with in-depth educational training. The delegation gathered for two days to hear numerous presentations on the latest issues our nation is facing. On Day 3, the GCA delegation, 280 members strong, went to the Capital as a united group to meet with legislators. Zone II met on “The Hill” with the legislative aides of Senator Blumenthal, Senator Murphy, and Congressman Himes. Leveraging the power of collective voices, the group urged our representatives to take action on GCA’s areas of concern affecting our landscapes, wildlife, oceans, and atmosphere. All were very receptive and highly respectful of the GCA organization.

Surprisingly, the Cherry trees were in full bloom! Beautiful yes, but many were alarmed and questioned why they were blooming 2 to 3 weeks early…

Marie Kennedy, Conservation Chair

​Click HERE to view the NAL presentation

​Click the images below for a larger view
GCA hosted the 2020 Annual National Affairs and Legislation Conference on February 23rd through 26th. The conference agenda included an advocacy training session, a day of expert speakers relating to environmental issues covered in GCA position papers, a day of updates from our elected officials and a day of advocacy in support of issues that impact member’s local communities and the country at large.  Here is a LINK to the NAL Committee page on the GCA website.  Report from Grace Yagtug.
It was an honor and a pleasure to be our delegate for the 2020 NAL conference in February. With over 300 women attending, it was an incredibly rich and informative experience! Taking the 6 hour train from New Haven to Washington DC was an easy and peaceful journey, and the cherry trees along the Potomac Tidal Basin were all ‘in bud’ still too early to be in bloom. It is appropriate here to remember how those cherry trees came to be planted in Washington DC. See image below.  Read more
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The Annual National Affairs and Legislation Conference (NAL) Meeting 2019 was held February 24th through February 27th in Washington DC.  The Conference was a resounding success this year and coincided with legislative environmental victories. One being the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) which won permanent authorization in the House with a vote of 363-62. Here is a LINK to the NAL Committee page on the GCA website.
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Martha Phillips report for the The Garden Club of America Annual National Affairs & Legislation conference sponsored by GCA convened the week of February 26 through March 1,  2018 in Washington DC.  Attendees from all zones were present. 

Thank you for the opportunity to represent the Litchfield Garden Club at the NAL meeting this year.  As always, it was a great chance to renew acquaintances and make new friends. And learn a great deal. 
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The meeting was packed – 27 delegates from Zone II clubs attended and several hundred from across the country. So many historic as well as recent hard-won environmental and conservation accomplishments are currently under challenge and at risk of being overturned that the level of energy and concern among delegates was noticeably higher than usual. 

Read Full Report -
The Garden Club of America’s committees on conservation and national affairs and legislation keep an eye on developing conservation issues and federal legislation and regulations pertaining to them. The GCA has adopted position papers on half a dozen topics. These papers form the basis for lobbying and advocacy issues undertaken on behalf of the GCA. To see to position papers - visit the GCA website, click here. 

GCA PUBLICATIONS:

​Conservation Watch (Con Watch) - Spring, 2024
Click HERE for Legislative & Policy Updates
GCA Position Papers
A History of Conservation and National Affairs & Legislation - by the GCA
​The history of conservation within the framework of The Garden Club of America is the history of the conservation movement in the United States. Originally the intent of the founding group was the simple conservation of what they could immediately see and touch, their gardens and their tangible surroundings. With the progression of time and increasing knowledge of the interconnectedness of the natural world, the concept grew to include forests and plains and today the entire ecosystem of the earth is seen as an object of conservation. From one’s backyard to the planet: this is the history of conservation in The Garden Club of America as it aligns with the history of the American conservation movement.