On Friday, February 27, 2026, the Down to Earth Community Garden was honored at the ninth annual GreenThumb Garden Recognition Awards ceremony held at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Our garden received GreenThumb’s Environmental Innovation Award.
“These awards recognize the exceptional achievements of GreenThumb’s gardens, gardeners and community partners that are dedicated to making New York City a greener, healthier, and more equitable place. Your garden group has been an incredible representative of GreenThumb’s network of community gardens, and we are grateful for your continued partnership in bringing people together and strengthening neighborhoods through community gardening.”
In addition to featured honoree Shig Matsukawa, five more gardeners from El Sol Brillante and the Down to Earth Composting committee were able to attend. A special thanks goes out to Lorraine, Barbara, Stephanie, Dan, and Alexis for showing up and representing the garden, and for their ongoing hard work in the gardens and our composting program.