LBK Garden Club awards $89,200 in local scholarships and grants

The Longboat Key Garden Club awarded a total of $89,200 in scholarships and grants to local students and nonprofits pursuing environmental studies and efforts. 

The club hosted the recipients for an Arbor Day picnic on April 25 at the Longboat Island Chapel.

Fourteen grants were given to different organizations that are focused on environmental initiatives, environmental programs and camps for underserved youths, school edible gardens, native planting and beautification opportunities. The club awarded $59,200 in total to these nonprofits. 

The recipients included Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Save Our Seabirds, Longboat Key Turtle Watch, Southside Elementary School, St. Martha's Catholic Elementary School, The Paradise Center, Florida Maritime Museum, Cortez Village Historical Society, Ballard Elementary School and the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast.

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Along with these grants, four academic scholarships were awarded to students who are studying for either an undergraduate, master's or doctoral degree in environmental studies such as ecosystem remediation, wildlife conservation, water quality sustainability, coastal plant restoration and restoration and cultivation of coral; A total of $30,000 was awarded to these students.

Tori Guarino from Florida Gulf Coast received the $15,000 Charles T. Bauer Foundation scholarship. Guarino plans to earn a bachelor's degree in biology, along with a master's and doctorate in wildlife conservation and environmental education. 

Camille Haupt, from the University of Florida, received an $8,000 scholarship. In pursuit of a degree in biology, biotechnology and sustainability, Haupt hopes to engage in both field and lab work to protect and conserve wetlands. 

Carter Oleckna, from Florida Gulf Coast University, received a $5,000 scholarship. After he graduates with a degree in microbiology, Oleckna is planning to pursue a doctorate in agricultural studies to study coastal plant restoration methods. 

Jamie McHardy from Florida Atlantic received a $2,000 scholarship. Studying marine biology, McHardy hopes to research projects in coral cultivation and solutions to coral bleaching.

President Melanie Dale said in a press release that it was a successful year for the Garden Club and they are excited about their continued ability to impact the environment in our area.