Nngi in the Community Spring 2026

Here is a recap of what NNGI was able to contribute to our community and beyond this
spring.

Norwood Avenue Elementary School Girl Scouts Troup

Nicole Tamaro and Northport Village Trustee Monica Zenyuh
met with this group at NNGI’s native garden in front of Northport
Village Hall. They educated the girls as to why native plants are important and
showcased some of the garden’s plants.

Nicole said they were impressed by how
much the girls already knew and their intelligent questions. Each Scout got a
NY Ironweed plant to take home, with written instructions as to how to take
care of it.

_{Sachem Public Library}

If you are looking for a place of serenity, it is worth a
drive out to the Sachem Public Library. They have a gorgeous garden space – a
pocket park, really. They have a beautiful path, with story boards for kids,
and an outdoor area for library programs.

They also have a raised bed filled with native plants. NNGI
helped to plant it out in 2024. They recently asked us to help them to update
the garden. We agreed and offered to donate the plants needed. NNGI’s Matt
Gorman and Barbara Bolen went out there and met with a group of teenagers, who
were there to learn about native plants and to install the new plants.

Matt and Barbara gave a brief talk as to why native plants
are so important for our ecosystem and then the kids were given the donated
plants to install in the existing native garden raised bed. It was very
rewarding to see each of them gain a feeling of confidence as they were able to
successfully and properly plant each new replacement plant. Each of the teens
went home with a free native plant plug and knowledge to share with their
parents.

Ocean Ave School Beautification Committee

NNGI donated approximately $600 worth of plants, including Lowbush
blueberry, Columbine, Foamflower and Beardtongue. NNGI’s Nicole Tamaro was
assisted by Ocean Avenue parent Katie Vaccaro, in creating this sweet native
garden.

Greater East Northport Civic Committee

This local group recently filled three planter boxes with
native plants, donated by NNGI. You can find these boxes on Larkfield Road, diagonally
across from Gold’s Gym.

Cold Spring Harbor Junior Senior High School

NNGI donated approximately $800 worth of native plants to
the Courtyard Living Classroom at Cold Spring Harbor Junior Senior High School.
Erin Cunningham from the School Literary Luncheon Committee sent the following
to NNGI:

“Your contribution will help enrich this special outdoor
learning space, creating a beautiful and meaningful environment where students
can connect with nature and learn about the importance of native ecosystems.
The plants you donated will support a pollinator pathway on the North Shore
while providing valuable educational opportunities for years to come.

We are grateful for your commitment to environmental
stewardship and for partnering with our school community to inspire learning,
sustainability, and appreciation for the natural world. Your generosity will
have a lasting impact, and we look forward to seeing the courtyard flourish as
a living classroom.”

John Glenn High School in Elwood