Annual Arbor Day Celebration

Each year, the Shepherd of the Hills Garden Club celebrates Arbor Day in collaboration with the Friends of the Branson City Parks. Together, these organizations work closely with the City of Branson to select a park that will benefit most from the planting of special trees.

For the 2025 Arbor Day celebration, a donation of $200 was made to fund the replacement of trees that had to be removed because of disease. This contribution ensures that the local parks remain healthy and beautiful, continuing the tradition of environmental stewardship within the community.

Bluebird Trail

The Bluebird Trail at Eiserman Park began in 2024 with the installation of five Bluebird nest boxes strategically placed throughout the park. This initiative aimed to support local Bluebird populations and provide opportunities for community engagement with nature.

A sixth nest box was recently installed by City Parks employees. The bluebirds are already settling in!

Since the establishment of the trail, over two dozen Bluebird hatchlings have successfully fledged from the installed nest boxes. This positive outcome demonstrates the trail’s contribution to native bird conservation within the park.

Looking ahead to 2026, there are plans to expand the Bluebird Trail by adding two additional nest boxes. This expansion is intended to further enhance the habitat for Bluebirds and support the continued growth of their population in Eiserman Park.

Plant A Tree

The Plant A Tree program is an initiative that relies on the generous support of its members. Each month, members contribute by donating their spare change, which is collected and pooled together for a common cause.

When the total contributions reach $100, a check is issued in the name of a special member. This check is then mailed directly to the USDA National Forest Service, ensuring that the funds are used effectively for reforestation efforts.

Pictured below is member Donna Rouch holding the certificate issued in her honor.

The Club typically selects areas that have been severely impacted by natural disasters as the designated sites for planting new trees. Through this targeted approach, the program helps restore forests and promote environmental recovery in regions that need it most.

Roots of Giving Program

Formerly known as the Recycle, Repurpose, and Reuse program, members enthusiastically support this initiative by bringing gently used items that can be re-purposed. Committee Chair Sandra Reames and her team collect items on a regular basis and then deliver to local charitable organizations.

Donated items such as eyeglasses, hearing aids, and gently used durable medical equipment are collected and distributed to local organizations to provide to individuals in need. This initiative ensures that essential items find a new purpose and provide support to those who require them.

In addition to the durable medical equipment mentioned above, many other items generously donated by members. Pet food and supplies are donated to the Branson Humane Society, helping to care for local animals. In addition, old cell phones are collected and given to the Greene County Shelter for Battered Women, providing vital communication tools for women in crisis.

Annual Table Rock Lake Shoreline Clean-Up

The Club’s signature Conservation Project centers on active involvement in the Annual Table Rock Lake shoreline clean-up, conducted in partnership with H2Ozarks. This ongoing initiative demonstrates the Club’s commitment to environmental stewardship and preserving the natural beauty of the lake.

As part of this project, Club members have adopted a four-mile section of the 52-mile-long Table Rock Lake. By focusing their efforts on this dedicated stretch, members ensure consistent and targeted clean-up activities each year.

Over the past several years, Club volunteers have removed hundreds of pounds of trash from the adopted shoreline. These efforts have contributed significantly to maintaining a cleaner environment, making the lake a more enjoyable destination for both locals and visitors who appreciate its natural surroundings.