In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth and placed man in the garden which was arrayed with the beauty of every sort of flowering tree and trees that were filled with all types of seed-bearing fruit – a place that was called Paradise.

The gardens of Enders Island are also alive with seed-bearing fruit and flowers of all sorts. Our gardens reflect that first garden as we walk and speak with God in the beauty of His Creation.

Our many visitors, retreatants, and students find peace and renewal as they pray and reflect amidst the abundance of color which springs forth from the nooks and crannies of the rocks as well as the formal garden beds of roses and Dahlias.

The gardens of Enders Island are open for prayer and quiet contemplation of the beauty of God’s Creation from sunrise to sunset.

DAHLIA PRESERVATION TRUST
Dahlias come in all shapes, sizes, and colors – and you’ll find over 300 varieties of prize-winning Dahlias throughout the Island. We have established a Dahlia Preservation Trust to preserve, promote and enhance the unique setting of our Dahlia collection – a seaside bouquet of spectacular color. The Enders Island Dahlias have been recognized as one of the largest collections of Dahlias in all of New England.

COMMITMENT TO CREATION CARE
Pope Francis has called care for God’s Creation one of ‘the great moral issues of our time.’ Our commitment to Creation Care is reflected in all our work, including the preservation and renewal of our Island with sustainable practices. To help us share the expertise we have developed on Enders Island, the Dahlia Preservation Trust has established a College Internship Program to provide an on-site college internship in hands-on training in gardening as a ministry. Our first internship was offered to a young man who is a student of environmental horticulture at the University of Connecticut and also a former resident in our Recovery Community.

PATHWAY TO THE FUTURE
The Dahlia Preservation Trust supports the longevity of our gardens through several projects, including the building of a reinforced seawall, the addition of a Rosary Walk, and an apprenticeship in a Master Gardening Program.