Kathy Warner/Special -- Fourth- and fifth-graders in the Emma Love Hardee Elementary School gifted program examine a caterpillar on the Satsuma tree in the Demonstration Garden at the James S. Page Governmental Complex in Yulee in May.

Nassau County Extension Service’s demonstration garden at the James S. Page Governmental Complex in Yulee is earning national praise.

The National Association of Counties has awarded the garden a 2008 Achievement Award, according to a press release Friday from County Coordinator Edward Sealover.

The award recognizes innovative county government programs.

The garden provides Nassau County residents a chance to see the care and maintenance of landscape plants best suited to grow here.

According to the release, this is believed to be the first time Nassau County has earned NACO’s achievement award.