GCA Honors Uli Lorimer
The Garden Club of America (GCA) recently announced the recipients of its 2026 national medals, the highest honor it bestows upon individuals and organizations for distinguished achievements in areas related to its purpose. Native Plant Trust Director of Horticulture Uli Lorimer is the recipient of the GCA's 2026 Distinguished Service Medal for his dedication to the conservation of native plant species and the restoration of native plant communities. Lorimer will receive the Distinguished Service Medal at the GCA's 113th annual meeting in April 2026, in New York City.
Congratulations, Uli!
Photo: Uli Lorimer © Katherine A. Lorimer
Warm Welcome to New Board Chair David Martland
Native Plant Trust is pleased to announced the election of David Martland as chair of the board of trustees.
David brings with him an expertise in nonprofit leadership, having served as the board chair for Historic New England from 2016–2022, and a background in historic preservation, philanthropy, and fundraising. David has also served on the Native Plant Trust Board of Trustees since 2023, and co-chaired our 125th anniversary gala last year.
Learn more about David's experience here.
Photo: New board chair David Martland at Garden in the Woods, Patrick Rogers Photography
E-gift Cards, Seeds, and Books Available in Our Online Shop
Our Garden Shop at Garden in the Woods has closed until the Garden reopens in April, but you can now order e-gift cards (delivered immediately), as well as seeds and books, in our new online Garden Shop!
You can also still order physical gift cards over the phone, redeemable for plants or merchandise throughout the year. We'll even mail your gift cards for you. Just call our direct line: 774-301-8465.
Photo: Winterberry (Ilex verticillata), Dan Jaffe Wilder © Native Plant Trust
It's Winter Walking Season
While Garden in the Woods is closed for the season, Native Plant Trust members may enjoy the special benefit of Winter Walking at the Garden. Come and explore the Garden during its most peaceful time of year.
Hours: Thursday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., through Saturday, February 28.
We require reservations. click here to reserve your spot. Please note: Availability may change due to inclement weather or holidays.
Not a member yet? Join now—and consider gift memberships for your walking buddies.
Photo: Snowfall at Garden in the Woods, Rachel Wolff-Lander © Native Plant Trust
10M Banked Seeds and a Generous Bequest
Native Plant Trust has received a generous $1.5M bequest from an anonymous donor for endowment funds supporting its ongoing work in conservation, including banking the seed of rare and endangered native plants in New England and preservation of its herbarium, and for creating a new endowment for communications and visual resources. The bequest comes as Native Plant Trust celebrates banking 10 million seeds of rare plants. “This extraordinary bequest strengthens the very foundation of our mission,” says CEO Tim Johnson. Read more about the bequest, seed bank, and other recent accomplishments here.
Photo: Seeds of square-stemmed spikesedge (Eleocharis quandrangulata), a rare species in New England, Michael Piantedosi © Native Plant Trust
Native Plant Trust in the News
A selection of recent stories—see more here:
- Growing Greener Podcast, Director of Conservation Dr. Lea Johnson on herbaria in conservation
- Boston Globe, "Ask the Gardener: These shrubs and berries can help birds survive the winter"
- awaytogarden.com, "What about Those 'Keystone Plants'? with Uli Lorimer"
- WBUR, "A Massachusetts bank passes a milestone: 10 million rare seeds"
- The Wild Story Podcast featuring Director of Conservation Dr. Lea Johnson
Photo: Seeds stored in the rare plant seed bank, Jane Roy Brown © Native Plant Trust