The Green Thumb Garden Club
and The PENNY PINES Project
Donations made between 1995 to present day
in Recognition of or in Memory of are:

Trudy Albrecht, Richard Amaya, Perry Aminian, Virginia Belcher, Carol Benston,
Linda Burgess, Glenn Burroughs, Cynthia Chase, Roene Copeland, Marilyn Cowie,
Maria Cuevas, Joyce Darrow, Doris Dermody, Cliff Edwards, Willene Hart, Estelle
Horcasitas, James Humber, William Lewis, Ed Lynch. Sr, Helen Maas, Rebecca
Ogas, Mary Ortega, Lew Prestage, Shirley Reese, Randi Reinhardt, Jeanne Rice,
Rob Rephan, Thomas Scott, Marie Smith, Jeanne Van Holten, Claudine Wheat,
and Steve & Kathleen Wilson.

In addition, twelve plantations have been given to our club
"The Bakersfield Green Thumb Garden Club"
   The Program of the US Department of Agriculture Forest Restoration Service is
accomplished by contributions toward the cost of Pine Plantations. This aids in the restoration
of burned over forest areas.
  At the start of the program, sponsored by the Sportswomen’s Association in 1941, seedlings
were purchased for about one cent each. It takes approximately 680 seedlings to plant one
acre, therefore the cost of $68.00 per acre.  This is called a Penny Pine Plantation.  In 1964,
the original cooperative agreement was rewritten to provide that funds contributed under
Penny Pines program could be used for reforestation, rather than solely for the purchase of
seedlings.
  The National Forests of California cover some 20 million acres, (or about 1/5 of the State),
are plagued fire, pests and disease. Insect infestation destroys seven times more forests
annually than fire. Forest pests are scattered and troublesome to control.
Since the Bakersfield Green Thumb Garden Club was formed in 1995 it has contributed to
over 48 plantations, mostly in the Sequoia National Forest. Over the years many groups have
helped in contributing more than a million dollars in the Penny Pines Reforestation Program.
Through these donations, more than 27 million seedlings have been planted, renewing 88,000
acres of National Forest Land in California.
  A minimum donation of $68.00 may be made to a specific District. A certificate of
appreciation and thank you note is sent to each donor. A plantation may also be purchased in
memory of any individual or group.

  For more information contact  
Penny Pines
                       


                       100 years
 The Sequoia National Forest and the Giant Sequoia National Monument celebrated their
100 years (1908-2008) with an Open House on July 1, 2008 in Porterville.  















  Two giant sequoias were planted on the
grounds of the Supervisor’s
Headquarters.  The Centennial Birthday
Cake was served following the awards
recognition for “Partners thru Time.”
 
    There are many groups that have
participated in the “Partners” – Scouts,
Bays Camp, civic volunteers, correctional
institutions, of course the garden clubs,
and many more.  A certificate of
recognition was given to each organization.
Richard Amaya (our Penny Pines Chairman),
Joyce Darrow
(our President), and Helen Maas
(our Publicity Chairwoman)
were on hand to
receive recognition as one of the clubs in the top ten for our donations to Penny Pines.
Photos by HM