Spring is in full swing, and the season has been marked by various groups taking the time to celebrate the environment by planting flowers, plants and beautifying several areas in the county.

The Washington Garden Club led advocacy for planting and gardening with its annual herb sale this past weekend. The group had an array of plants and herbs for sale at the North Carolina Estuarium, with proceeds from the fundraiser going to support its upkeep of local gardens.

The organization is currently revamping the gardens at Brown Library, one of several locations it manages. Others include gardens at the corner of Market and Third streets, at the Grace Martin Harwell Senior Center and Harding Square.

Grace Lutheran Church partnered with the N.C. Estuarium recently to host a project in accordance with Earth Day. The project included pulling weeds, planting flowers and other plants and other tasks associated with beautification of the beds scattering the grounds of the facility. Jennifer Watkins, volunteer coordinator at the Estuarium, and her two sons, Oren and Jacob, joined the initiative by doing preparation work weeks leading up to the project day and also helping on the day of the project.

According to Ben Kifer, Grace Lutheran’s pastor, the church’s involvement was a way to celebrate God’s creation and promote good stewardship of the environment, particularly in the local community.

Juniors of Girl Scout Troop 87 recently planted a raised-bed vegetable garden at River Trace Nursing Home as part of earning gardening badges and to serve the community. Among the vegetables planted were okra, squash, tomatoes, lettuce and cucumbers.

Work from the organizations was and continues to be instrumental in raising awareness about gardening and the environment.

As Watkins pointed out, most children today are not as in touch with nature and the outdoors as those of past generations. Activities and projects such as the one at the N.C. Estuarium and that of Girl Scout Troop 87 are very important in passing the torch of environmental advocacy, knowledge of gardening and stewardship of the environment.

The work of these organizations set a great example for other residents and organizations to join in similar efforts.