Cottonwood Institute Founder and Executive Director Receives the Elizabeth Abernathy Hull Award from the Garden Club of America in 2026

Just before the annual Bash Camp Bash event began on April 11, 2026, Ford Church, Founder and Executive Director of Cottonwood Institute, received a surprise honor from the Garden Club of America. One of the priorities of the Garden Club of America is Civic Projects, and the Elizabeth Abernathy Hull Award was given in recognition of Ford’s outstanding contributions to environmental education and community engagement. Read on to learn more about the award and the lasting impact of Ford’s leadership.

Reposted with Permission:
The Garden Club of America’s Elizabeth Abernathy Hull Award annually recognizes the outstanding achievements of individuals furthering the early environmental education of children. Established in 1992, the Hull Award provides $1,000 to chosen recipients who honor Miss Hull’s common sense approach to environmental awareness by inspiring children under 16 to appreciate the beauty and fragility of our planet.

FORD CHURCH

Recipient of the Elizabeth Abernathy Hull Award, 2026

Nominated by a member of New Orleans Town Gardeners, Inc.

Photo by Two Twisted Trees Photography www.twotwistedtrees.com

In recognition of his sustained leadership, transformative educational impact, and unwavering commitment to inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards. Ford Church has served as the Executive Director of the Cottonwood Institute since its inception in 2004. Ford has dedicated over 20 years of his life to connecting students to the outdoors with the goal of teaching them how to be good stewards of our environment including becoming change-makers in finding solutions! Ford and Mrs. Hull would have become fast friends with their shared passions. Ford’s mission-driven nonprofit offers a unique blend of environmental education, outdoor adventure, leadership development, and service learning. The Cottonwood Institute has expanded its programming through offering the Endangered Wolf Project, the Colorado Wildfire Project, and the Colorado Watershed Project to further engage the students.

Cottonwood Institute would like to thank Mrs. Barbara Bush, Civic Improvement Chairman from the New Orleans Town Gardners, for nominating Ford. Mrs. Bush worked tirelessly behind the scenes to connect with CI Board Chair, Whitney Bell Haggard, Board Member Fay Hartman, and Advisory Board Member Whitney Thompson to write letters of recommendation and submit the nomination, which is a robust process.

We have observed Ford’s sustained successes. He leads by example, building relationships and making Cottonwood Institute experience memorable and meaningful. He has demonstrated the ideals of the Garden Club of America through his innovative, outdoor education program connecting youth to the Colorado outdoors and nature. In his words, ‘We can’t expect students to care about the environment until they first have an opportunity to explore nature and develop a powerful connection to it.’ The New Orleans Town Gardners feel this is the appropriate time to recognize Ford’s accomplishments with the esteemed Elizabeth Abernathy Hull Award.

– Mrs. Barbara Bush, New Orleans Town Gardeners, Civic Improvement Chairman

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