Linda Hardberger is a founding member of the community gardens movement in San Antonio. In 2006, as first lady of the city to former Mayor Phil Hardberger, she joined forces with Green Spaces Alliance and began working with community groups to determine what enhancements folks wanted to see in their neighborhoods. Community gardening rose to the top.
Community gardens provide a place for people to grow healthy food, find respite, and gather with family and neighbors. In addition to providing monetary support, tools, and network resources, an important component of the Green Spaces Alliance Community Gardens Program is offering educational and training opportunities to both new and experienced gardeners. With just three pilot gardens on board in early 2007, the program has achieved remarkable success over the years. Now totaling 38 gardens with more in the works, these gardens are located in every part of our city, providing urban green space and enhancing communities.
On Thursday, Oct. 1, Green Spaces Alliance will honor the wonderful legacy of Linda Hardberger at its annual fall fundraiser, “Sweet Honey Soiree.”
The theme celebrates the important role of pollinators such as bees, bats, and butterflies that spread all manner of good things to improve our quality-of-life by pollinating crops, flowers and making honey. The event will attract people who value the work Green Spaces does to sustain the natural environment and enhance urban spaces through land conservation, community engagement and education.
That evening, the Linda Hardberger Community Garden Endowment Fund will be formally announced. The permanent fund will provide sustaining resources to continue to help community gardening grow and prosper in our region through the establishment of new gardens; improvements in established gardens, such as water catchment systems, harvest stations, raised garden beds, shade structures, and benches; tools, plants, soil, and mulch; and support for gardeners through workshops and training opportunities.
Green Spaces hopes to inspire everyone to value the bounty of the earth and the interconnectedness of all living things while passing along best practices that will keep the earth healthy, productive, and sustainable. In so doing, San Antonio will prosper as a premier livable city.
Ticket information and event details for “Sweet Honey Soiree” and the Linda Hardberger Community Garden Endowment Fund can be found at www.greensatx.org or by calling (210) 222-8430.
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