协会宗旨
美国德克萨斯州中心水花园和池塘协会（Heart of Texas Water Garden and Pond Society，简称 HOTWGPS）是一家非营利性地方园艺团体，以推广水景园艺与池塘养殖爱好为创立初衷。协会致力于向本地居民普及水生植物与观赏鱼养护知识，组织会员参观学习他人的水景工程，并定期举办围绕池塘话题的社交聚会，会员覆盖退休人士、家庭园艺新手以及资深造园爱好者等多类人群。
主要活动
协会每月的第三个星期二晚上 6:30 在大休斯顿地区不同会员家中召开例会，会议内容包括水生植物讲座、季节性池塘维护培训、新品种推介等。协会每年举办面向公众开放的水景池塘参观之旅（Pond Tour），门票与赞助收入扣除成本后将定向捐赠给 Lake Waco Wetlands 等本地湿地保护项目。除此之外，协会还举办周年圣诞聚会、Mardi Gras 趣味活动、春季睡莲分株示范等社区联谊。
会员与治理
协会下设会长、副会长兼项目主席、秘书、财务、池塘参观委员会主席及网站管理员等职位，由全体正式会员每年投票选举产生。个人会员年费 20 美元，两人家庭 30 美元，企业会员 125 美元；除企业会员外，个人和家庭会员均享有正式投票权。协会不接受任何商业赞助，会务开支与会刊印刷由会员费结余支撑，会员资料与会议纪要通过月度电子会刊向全体会员公开。
资源与公益
协会在自有网站上提供入侵性水生植物识别指南、本地可靠的池塘设备供应商名单、池塘真空租用服务（会员五美元一次）等实用资源。协会与 Lake Waco Wetlands 等湿地保护机构保持长期合作，将年度池塘参观之旅门票净收益以实物支票形式捐赠给湿地管理部门，用于水源涵养与候鸟栖息地修复，会员也可报名参加湿地志愿讲解员培训。
加入方式
任何对水景池塘有兴趣的居民，无论是否已经拥有池塘或仍在规划阶段，均可申请加入协会。申请人将表格与年费支票寄至位于德州 Lorena 的财务联络地址，审批通过后即成为正式会员，会籍按自然年度生效，新会员在首次例会上可领取协会印制的池塘维护速查手册与年度活动日历。
Mission
The Heart of Texas Water Garden and Pond Society (HOTWGPS) is a not-for-profit local horticultural organization dedicated to promoting the hobby of water gardening and ponding. The society works to expand public interest in aquatic plants and ornamental fish keeping, disseminates practical information about pond construction and care, and hosts regular social gatherings where members exchange hands-on experience.
Monthly Activities
HOTWGPS meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 PM at rotating member homes across the Waco, Texas area. Programs cover seasonal pond maintenance, water lily division, fish health, and greenhouse construction. The society also hosts an annual Pond Tour open to the general public, and donates the net proceeds to Lake Waco Wetlands. Yearly social events include a Christmas party, Mardi Gras gathering, and spring picnic on the North Bosque River.
Membership and Governance
The society is led by an elected board comprising President, Vice President and Program Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Pond Tour Committee Chairman, and Webmaster. Annual dues are 20 US dollars for an individual full member, 30 dollars for a two-member household, and 125 dollars for a business or corporate membership. Individual and household members hold full voting rights; business members may attend meetings but require a separate regular membership to vote.
Resources and Conservation
The society maintains an online resources page with guidance on invasive aquatic plants, recommended local pond equipment suppliers, and a five-dollar pond vacuum rental for members. HOTWGPS has partnered with Lake Waco Wetlands since 2023, presenting annual donation checks to the wetlands director and offering volunteer training for wetland docents who guide visitors through the preserve.
Joining HOTWGPS
Anyone with an interest in water gardens, ornamental fish, or pond construction may apply for membership. Prospective members mail the application form and dues check to the treasurer at the Lorena, Texas mailing address listed on the membership page. Approved applicants receive a printed pond care quick-reference guide and the yearly program calendar at their first meeting.
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