• In the News

    BPDG 2025 Scholarship Awarded!

    Batavia Plain Dirt Gardeners Awards $2,000 Scholarship to Batavia High School Graduating Senior, Abigail Ingersoll Recognizing Excellence and Supporting Future Leaders

    Batavia, IL July 1, 2025 — The Batavia Plain Dirt Gardeners congratulate Abigail Ingersoll, a graduating Batavia High School senior, for being selected for the scholarship, valued at $2000, which will support her further education and personal growth as she embarks on her college journey at Iowa State University. Abigail is planning to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Research or Horticulture.

    Ms. Ingersoll, a graduating senior at Batavia High School, was highly recommended by several of her teachers because of her exceptional achievements and inspiring dedication. Kimberly Pearlman Batavia High School English Department states, “Success in higher education also requires a student who is focused, fully prepared to accept challenges and open to experiences beyond the classroom. Abigail is a member of a highly demanding and competitive high school marching band program. She is a member of the Women in STEM Club, and she is a member of multiple honor societies (French, Science and National).”

    Abigail confirms her commitment, “I plan to pursue a future in environmentally focused horticulture, hoping to research methods of environmental regulation and climate change adaptations.” “I hope to find a way to turn my passion and enthusiasm for plants, nature, and biology into something meaningful that will leave a lasting impact and help the world for generations to come.”

    The Batavia Plain Dirt Gardeners Scholarship will be awarded every year to a standout high school senior who resides within the boundaries of Batavia Public School District 101 and is planning to pursue a career requiring an associate degree or bachelor’s degree in a Horticultural Science field, such as Agriculture, Botany, Conservation, Ecology, Environmental Science, Forestry, and/or Land Management.  To be selected they must demonstrate a commitment to academic rigor, meaningful contributions within their community, and the ambition to make a positive impact on the world.

  • ABOUT

    ABOUT

    Batavia Plain Dirt Gardeners is a 501(c)(3) organization that promotes a love of sustainable gardening and the natural world through education and volunteerism. This club is open to all persons interested in gardening. 

    HISTORY OF BATAVIA PLAIN DIRT GARDENERS

    In 1991, a group of volunteers began the transformation of a wild thicket of buckthorn and invasive species along the Batavia Riverwalk into what is now The Batavia Wildflower Sanctuary. These sanctuary gardeners formed Batavia Plain Dirt Gardeners, an organization dedicated to supporting The Batavia Wildflower Sanctuary and other projects while cultivating the love of gardening among experienced as well as novice gardeners.
    The club sponsors monthly educational programs as well as fundraising activities for The Batavia Wildflower Sanctuary, a local college scholarship and other special projects. The club’s plant sale is held every year on the Saturday before Mother’s Day and features native and other perennials, ferns, shrubs, and trees.

    Garden Walks are held every two years. Past projects have included purchasing and seasonally planting the interactive sculpture “Kaleidoscope” which is located in the Batavia city plaza, and maintaining the planters near the Peace Bridge in downtown Batavia.

    Batavia Plain Dirt Gardeners meet on the third Tuesday of each month (except July and August). Meetings are held at the Batavia Public Library, 10 S. Batavia Ave. (SE corner of Rt. 31 and Wilson St.) or other Batavia sites as announced. Guests and new members are always welcome.

    EXECUTIVE BOARD
    Tim Westfall, President
    Shirley Mott, Vice President
    Yvonne Richter, Secretary
    Barb Schaefer, Treasurer
    Penny McDowell,  Public Relations
    Karen Jensen, Programs
    Donna Leffler, Hospitality
    Sarah Kimber, Wildflower Sanctuary
    Karen Messer, Plant Sale
    Jonathan Plotkin, Garden Walk
    WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT 
    Nikki Matthiscyk

     

     

  • Batavia Plain Dirt Gardeners
    Membership Form

    MEMBERSHIP FORM

    If you are interested in becoming a new member or need to renew your current membership, please fill out the form below and follow the link that follows for online payment options. We look forward to having you with us!

    I give permission to share my contact information with other BPDG members
    Member
    Membership
    ALL MEMBERSHIPS RUN THROUGH THE END OF AUGUST
    Membership (Only for New Members Joining March - August)
    ALL MEMBERSHIPS RUN THROUGH THE END OF AUGUST
    Payment Options
    Please select any of the following club activities you are interested in participating in
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  • Contact

    CONTACT

    For all general questions please contact us using the form below. You can also email us directly at BataviaPlainDirtGardeners@gmail.com.
    We will respond as soon as possible! Thank you!

    Name
  • 2024 Garden Walk

    GARDEN WALKS

    The Batavia Plain Dirt Gardeners holds a Garden Walk every two years. Our next Garden Walk will be held summer 2026. We’ll post updates as they become available.

    Our 2024 Garden Walk “For the Love of Gardens” took place on Saturday, July 13, 2024.  Attendees spent their day surrounded in nature as they toured eight separate gardens in the Batavia area.  Each garden was thoughtfully designed for beauty, tranquility, function and include many unique and fun elements.

  • Kaleidoscope

    KALEIDOSCOPE

    Be sure to visit the Batavia City Plaza to check out the fun flower displays through the Kaleidoscope, by Kai Schulte!

    These fun seasonal floral displays are designed and maintained by our volunteers!