About FNGLA

Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival

FNGLA Children's Garden

In FNGLA's 12th year of participation in the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, the FNGLA garden will focus on sustainable green gardening practices utilizing a Tuscan theme. The garden will include a Tuscan farm house surrounded by both an olive grove and a citrus grove, a Tuscan dining area featuring a vertical herb/color garden and a play structure. In an effort to educate park guests on sustainable gardening practices, signage throughout the display will focus on Florida-friendly landscape principles. Gutters and a rain barrel will direct rainwater to a mock cistern stressing the value of water as a limited resource. 2010 marks the second year FNGLA's garden is focusing on sustainability and conservation practices.

The 2010 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival will kick-off its opening day celebration two weeks earlier than in previous years with Wednesday, March 3 slated as opening day. The festival will run for its regular 10 1/2-week duration and will close on Sunday, May 16. As in past years, FNGLA is seeking FNGLA members and FNGLA certified professionals to serve as garden hosts. While the concept of going green will attract both children and adults alike, FNGLA will carry over its focus on educating the next generation of gardening enthusiasts and will include a play area specifically to attract children to the gardening area.

Volunteers will be asked to host the garden for a 3-hour shift from either 12:00 - 3:00 p.m. or from 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. each Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the festival. All FNGLA volunteers gain entrance to the park for the day of their commitment to the FNGLA Garden, but are free to enjoy Epcot and the festival before and after their volunteer time, until the park closes for the evening. FNGLA Certified volunteers will also receive 2 CEU points for their service. While we are able to allow gardening qualified friends and spouses to serve as FNGLA volunteers, they must be able to fulfill the duties serving as a host answering gardening questions and interacting with park guests. We cannot allow children to participate.

Don't delay in coordinating your preferred time slots as volunteers will be accepted for Opening Day and each extended weekend on a first-come, first-served basis. Access the volunteer form to sign-up or contact Amy DiBella at FNGLA for date availability. Additional garden details and a volunteer packet will be available online at www.fngla.org as the festival's opening approaches. Volunteers are required to adhere to general attire and behavior practices while serving in the garden.


MORE ABOUT THE ART OF LIVING GREEN GARDEN
FNGLA's 2010 "The Art of Living Green" will be located directly off "the loop" of the international showcase between Morocco and France - the same site of FNGLA's 2009 garden. With a new theme and expanded sustainability focus, the garden areas will feature all-new elements utilizing a Tuscan theme. With the 2010 garden, FNGLA hopes to showcase plants as part of a sustainable lifestyle, and not simply as ornamental elements of a home. An estimated 2.4 million guests are expected to visit Epcot during the festival which includes several holidays expected to be heavily attended.

Also new this year, FNGLA's garden will feature several Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival contributors who are FNGLA partners: Sun City Tree Farm, Royal Crest Nurseries and EcoWalls. Each is providing substantial product in an effort to showcase Florida's nursery and landscape industry.

FNGLA is delighted to partner with the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival to spotlight plants as an everyday enjoyment and family-centered activity. More details on FNGLA's partnership with Epcot can be found online at www.fngla.org under the News & Programs heading as a public relations program. For specific program questions, contact the FNGLA office or send an e-mail to FNGLA's Director of Public Relations and Marketing, Jennifer Nelis at jnelis@fngla.org.