Lake County Gazette

Village of Hawthorn Woods issued the following announcement on May 7.

The Village of Hawthorn Woods is honored to receive the Governor’s Hometown Award for Environmental Stewardship for their Brierwoods Preserve Restoration Project. 

Over the past two years, even amid a global pandemic, the following volunteer groups participated in the preserve’s restoration efforts: Girl Scout Troop #1409; Boy Scout Troop #92 along with six Eagle Scout candidates; Fox Tribe Indian Princesses; Aqua Illinois, Inc.; Rotary Club of Long Grove/Kildeer/Hawthorn Woods; Metropolitan Mayors Caucus Greenest Region Corps; and the Hawthorn Woods in Bloom Committee. 

“The Village of Hawthorn Woods would like to extend our deepest, heartfelt appreciation to our many volunteers and congratulate all of them for being recognized for their tireless efforts in receiving the Governor’s Hometown Award!” stated Mayor Dominick DiMaggio.   

The Governor’s Hometown Award program bestows formal recognition to those who contributed to projects that improved their community’s quality of life. These projects are sponsored by local units of government that had strong volunteer support, met a need, and made a definitive impact, thereby generating a positive outcome in the community and by extension, the state. The program is administered by the Serve Illinois Commission, the Governor’s Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service.

Brierwoods Preserve was once an 11.5-acre thicket of overgrown vegetation. However, through the extensive clearing and planting efforts of their Village Parks Crew and a diverse group of dedicated volunteers, Brierwoods Preserve is now a sustainable woodland and wetland pollinator habitat, open to the public year-round and accessible to all mobilities.

ABOUT THE VILLAGE OF HAWTHORN WOODS

In 1958, Hawthorn Woods became Lake County’s 31st municipality and distinguished itself as an upscale, friendly community that placed a high value on the protection of natural resources. Hawthorn Woods is recognized for its beautiful open spaces and park amenities as well as great schools, friendly business districts, and professional services. A full-service Administration Department, Community Development Department, Finance Department, Parks and Recreation Department, Police Department, and Public Works Department all work together to provide excellence in service to the citizens, visitors, and business community of Hawthorn Woods.  For more information, visit www.vhw.org.