Since 1981, the Niguel Botanical Preserve has been a staple of the Laguna Niguel community. It was conceived to better appreciate and promote horticulture from around the world. Regions that are represented include South America, Mexico, Australia and the Mediterranean. The grounds feature an assortment of trails and mazes you can walk through where you can browse the variety of plants and shrubs. The garden is also the home to the Citizen of the Year awards that have been given out since 1990 to local residents. The Preserve is volunteer-based and has categories for annual and lifetime paid memberships that will keep you updated on the gardens all year round.