National Garden Club -- Award of Excellence #23

 
The Award of Excellence is National Garden Club's highest Award, presented to a non-member of National Garden Club and sponsored by a State Federation.  A medallion was awarded to the following for a contribution towards advancement of goals and purposes of National Garden Club, Inc. 

John W. Trexler, executive director of Tower Hill Botanic Garden, has been honored with the prestigious 2009 Award of Excellence by the National Garden Clubs. He received the award May 16 in Houston, Texas, at the group’s annual meeting.

The Award of Excellence is NGC’s highest award presented to a nonmember of the group. Trexler was nominated by the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts. The award application noted that Trexler “has the gift to imagine and then to make it happen. He has worked well with a community that had the same goals. As the (Tower Hill) master plan continues to come to life, the existing buildings and gardens are excellently maintained. They are the venue for a rich educational community. The plant societies, the garden clubs and other horticultural groups find a place to hold meetings and exhibitions, classes and parties.”

Trexler has been executive director of the Worcester County Horticultural Society, which owns and operates Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston, for more than 25 years. He was instrumental in the development of the garden’s master plan, created after the society bought more than 130 acres of land in Boylston in 1986. 


 

New England is very proud to congratulate all the past the recipients in our region.

         1. New England Wildflower Society -founded more than 100 years and is the leader in 
               plant and plant habitat conservation and native plant education in NE. 
               Endorsed by The Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts. 

         2. Trudy Coxe, Director of the Preservation Society of Newport County. Has directed
               children's gardens, environmental affairs, ocean & coastal mangement and "Save the 
               Bay" - Narragansett.
               Sponsored by the Rhode Island Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc. 
 
         3. Will Raap, Gardener's Supply Company, director and founded the Intervale Foundation 
               that continues to create a landscape of gardens, farms and trails. Created a native plant 
               nursery, worked with children on environmental needs and established a organic garden
               for low-income families. 
               Sponsored by the Federated Garden Clubs of Vermont, Inc.