Proposed by: a member of Noanett Garden Club, Zone I

Uli Lorimer is the director of horticulture at the Native Plant Trust (NPT), the nation’s first plant conservation organization. For more than two decades, his career has been dedicated to public gardens including the National Arboretum, Wave Hill, and Brooklyn Botanic Garden. He currently oversees horticulture operations at both Garden in the Woods, the NPT’s botanical garden, and Nasami Farm, NPT’s nursery focused on the propagation and research of native New England plants. Under Lorimer’s leadership at NPT, the Northeast Seed Network has been launched to grow native plants in seed-increase plots or seed-producing gardens—part of a nationwide effort to provide the seed of locally adapted native plant species from sustainably managed sources at scale.

The work of ecological horticulturists such as Lorimer to increase and conserve the supply of native plants and seeds, educate the public about the value of native plants in the landscape, and employ sustainable gardening practices is critical to the health of the planet as it faces greater threats from natural disasters and loss of biodiversity.

Eve Allen, program director for the US Northeast Bioregion, Ecological Health Network, writes, “What sets Uli apart is not only his technical expertise but also his ability to inspire those around him. He has a remarkable gift for engaging and educating both professionals and the public about the importance of native plants in our landscapes. His enthusiasm is infectious, and his ability to communicate the value of incorporating ecologically appropriate native plants into ecological restoration projects in a way that resonates with people from all backgrounds has significantly expanded awareness and support for our work.”