VALDOSTA — Members of Amaryllis and Camellia Garden Clubs were among 300 statewide garden club members and delegates attending The Garden Club of Georgia’s 89th Annual Convention in late April at The Lodge and Spa at Callaway Gardens. The three-day event spotlighted education and awards beginning with several workshops and tours.

Avernell Rogers, Camellia Club, and Susan Grooms, Amaryllis Club, attended five workshops that were based on the convention’s theme, “It’s All About the B’s; Bees, Butterflies, Birds and Bats.” They toured the Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center at Callaway Gardens.

Noted butterfly expert Arabella Dane was the keynote speaker. Her subject: “All a Flutter: A Joyous Look at Butterflies and How We Can Protect Them.”

Speakers at the workshops included naturalist, Todd Schneider, on Songbirds; beekeeper Cindy Hodges telling how bees help feed the world; and DNR Wildlife Biologist Trina Morris on the “Unlikely Eco Heroes, Bats. Jennette Gayer of Environment Georgia warned of the environmental threats and progress that has been made on protecting Georgia’s environment. Callaway Garden staff members spoke on “Wildflowers: Attracting Pollinators in Large and Small Ways.”

The life member luncheon where national, deep south region and state life members were recognized concluded the convention.