08/13/2026
The Algonquin Garden Club is proud to announce it has received the National Garden Clubs (NGC) Award for Environmental Conservation Activities during 2025. The award recognizes the club’s "Native Miyawaki Mini Forest" initiative, a groundbreaking local conservation project that transformed a plot once full of invasive species into a thriving, high-density bio-diverse ecosystem. Nearly 5000 garden clubs are members of NGC.
The award was announced at the NGC Annual Convention, where Algonquin’s project was selected from hundreds of submissions across the United States. Those were narrowed down to about 10-20 projects and were based on the size of the club and the Algonquin Garden Club received the first place award!
Judges praised the club for its commitment to environmental stewardship, community education, and the use of the Miyawaki Method—a specialized planting technique that allows native forests to grow ten times faster and thirty times denser than traditional plantations.
Eight members attended the Garden Clubs of Illinois meeting on July 13th 2026 in Naperville Illinois, where they were presented with the award.
Three first place state awards were also awarded to the Algonquin Garden Club by Garden Clubs of Illinois for the Gardening Consultants Community Project, the Mary Zgonena Memorial Award for Environmental Excellence and the Environmental Consultants Award categories. There are about 140 active garden clubs statewide in Illinois.
Restoring the Local Ecosystem
The Native Mini Forest project, located at the Dixie Briggs Fromm Nature Preserve in Algonquin, features a variety of species of canopy and understory trees and shrubs indigenous to Illinois. By focusing on native flora, the project provides a critical "stepping stone" habitat for local pollinators, migratory birds, and beneficial insects.
The project began reading the book, “Mini-Forest Revolution” by Hannah Lewis in January 2024. After almost two years of planning, the planting day commenced on October 25, 2025 with 27 volunteers, including Village President Debby Sosine and Village Trustee Jerry Glogowski, and planted 207 trees and shrubs on planting day.
Official signage has been added to describe the Mini Forest thanking grantors and those who helped with the project. June 2026 we added 65 forbes around the perimeter of the planting area. Watering and weeding will continue for the next two to three years while the mini forest is established. We have found critters have already made the mini forest their home.
After 9 months, there has been a 98% survival rate, as the majority of the trees and shrubs have survived and are thriving. There were only 4 ironwood trees that did not make it. That contrasts with a 80% normal survival rate in professional forestry and restoration.
"Receiving this national recognition is a testament to the hard work of our volunteers and the support of the Algonquin community," said Cindy Germata, President of the Algonquin Garden Club. "Our goal wasn't just to plant trees, but to create a self-sustaining lung for our village that will benefit generations to come."
All residents are welcome to visit Dixie Briggs Fromm Nature Preserve from dawn until dusk, which can be accessed from the Rustic Lane, Braewood Dr., Eastmoor Ln., Wynnfield Dr., Notting Hill Road or Lundstrum Ln. entrances.
About the Algonquin Garden Club
Founded in 1929, the Algonquin Garden Club is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to increase knowledge of gardening, to beautify home grounds, to participate in community landscaping, to protect the environment, to conserve resources, to further horticultural education through scholarships, and to contribute to local charitable organizations.
A member of the Garden Clubs of Illinois and National Garden Clubs, Inc., the group meets monthly and welcomes gardeners of all skill levels who are passionate about preserving the natural beauty of the Fox River Valley. For more information email us at [email protected]
