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<DIV>Dear Olivia, </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>New England Wild Flower Society</STRONG> announced the
accomplishments of remarkable conservationists and talented native plant
horticulture and design innovators honored with the 2007 New England Wild
Flower Society Awards, presented at the November annual
meeting. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>See the image gallery online at <A
href="http://www.newfs.org/about/awards/2007-society-award-winners/">http://www.newfs.org/about/awards/2007-society-award-winners/</A></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Thanks so much for helping to share the story. For details, to set up
interviews, or higher resolution images, please visit our website at
<A href="http://www.newenglandwild.org">www.newenglandwild.org</A>, and see the
awards story page at <A
href="http://www.newfs.org/about/awards/2007-society-award-winners/">http://www.newfs.org/about/awards/2007-society-award-winners/</A></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: GillSans"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: GillSans"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: GillSans"><SPAN
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<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: GillSans"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"><STRONG><FONT face="Times New Roman"><U><FONT
size=4>Award Winners</FONT> </U>(see full writeups in the links provided and and
an overview below</FONT></STRONG></SPAN></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: GillSans"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"><STRONG><FONT
face="Times New Roman"></FONT></STRONG></SPAN></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: GillSans"><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: GillSans"><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: GillSans"><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><STRONG><EM>Conservation Award</EM></STRONG> to
<STRONG>Christopher Mattrick</STRONG> of Campton, New Hampshire </FONT><A
href="http://www.newfs.org/about/awards/2007-society-award-winners/landscape-design-award-given-to-patrick-chasse/conservation-award-to-christopher-mattrick.html/"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">http://www.newfs.org/about/awards/2007-society-award-winners/landscape-design-award-given-to-patrick-chasse/conservation-award-to-christopher-mattrick.html/</FONT></A></SPAN></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV></SPAN></SPAN>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: GillSans"><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: GillSans"><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: GillSans"><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><STRONG><EM>Education Award</EM></STRONG> to
<STRONG>Thomas Vining</STRONG> of Bowdoin, ME Read about it at </FONT><A
href="http://www.newfs.org/about/awards/2007-society-award-winners/landscape-design-award-given-to-patrick-chasse/education-award.html?portal_status_message=Changes%20saved"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">http://www.newfs.org/about/awards/2007-society-award-winners/landscape-design-award-given-to-patrick-chasse/education-award.html?portal_status_message=Changes%20saved</FONT></A><FONT
face="Times New Roman">.</FONT></SPAN></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: GillSans"><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: GillSans"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"><STRONG><EM>Homer Lucas Public Garden
Award</EM></STRONG> to the <STRONG>Nauset Garden Club</STRONG> of Brewster,
Massachusetts Read the full story below and at <A
href="http://www.newfs.org/about/awards/2007-society-award-winners/landscape-design-award-given-to-patrick-chasse/mass-state-award-and-service-to-the-society.html">http://www.newfs.org/about/awards/2007-society-award-winners/landscape-design-award-given-to-patrick-chasse/mass-state-award-and-service-to-the-society.html</A></SPAN></SPAN></DIV></SPAN></SPAN></DIV></SPAN></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: GillSans"><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: GillSans"><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><STRONG><EM>Landscape Design Award</EM></STRONG> (the
premiere of a new award) honors <STRONG>Patrick Chasse</STRONG> of Mt.
Desert Island, Maine. See the full story at <A
href="http://www.newfs.org/about/awards/2007-society-award-winners/landscape-design-award-given-to-patrick-chasse/patrick-chasse-wins-the-landscape-design-award.html">http://www.newfs.org/about/awards/2007-society-award-winners/landscape-design-award-given-to-patrick-chasse/patrick-chasse-wins-the-landscape-design-award.html</A></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: GillSans"><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"></FONT></SPAN></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: GillSans"><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><EM><STRONG>Education Award</STRONG></EM> to
<STRONG>Thomas Vining</STRONG> of Bowdoin, Maine. Read about it at
</FONT><A
href="http://www.newfs.org/about/awards/2007-society-award-winners/landscape-design-award-given-to-patrick-chasse/education-award.html?portal_status_message=Changes%20saved"><FONT
face="Times New Roman">http://www.newfs.org/about/awards/2007-society-award-winners/landscape-design-award-given-to-patrick-chasse/education-award.html?portal_status_message=Changes%20saved</FONT></A><FONT
face="Times New Roman">.</FONT></SPAN></SPAN></DIV>
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style="mso-spacerun: yes"></SPAN></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: GillSans"><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><STRONG></STRONG></FONT></SPAN></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: GillSans"><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN
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style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial-BoldMT; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial-BoldMT">Debra
Strick</SPAN></B></st1:PersonName><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial-BoldMT; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial-BoldMT">,
Marketing and PR Director<o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
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style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial-BoldMT; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial-BoldMT">508.877.7630
x3501<o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
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style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial-BoldMT; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial-BoldMT">dstrick@newenglandWILD.org<o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
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style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN
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available<o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
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style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><I
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<P class=NFS-Heading1caps style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=2><STRONG>PRESS
RELEASE</STRONG></FONT></P>
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size=2> </FONT></STRONG></o:p><o:p><STRONG><FONT
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><STRONG><st1:place
w:st="on"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial-BoldMT; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial-BoldMT; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">NEW
ENGLAND</SPAN></st1:place><SPAN
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WILD FLOWER SOCIETY HONORS OUTSTANDING CONSERVATION, HORTICULTURE AND EDUCATION
ACHIEVEMENTS<o:p></o:p></SPAN></STRONG></P>
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<P class=NFS-Body style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Framingham, Massachusetts</B> —Sunday,
November 4th, 2007, New England Wild Flower Society, the region's leading plant
conservation organization, announced the recipients of this year’s awards
honoring organizations and individuals for exceptional achievement in plant
conservation, education, and horticulture.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>The award presentations followed the state of the Society address by
Executive Director Gwen Stauffer, conservation updates on climate change and
native plants by Conservation Director William Brumback and seed bank updates by
seed ecologist Dr. <st1:PersonName w:st="on">Tristram Seidler</st1:PersonName>.
Dedicated to the preservation of native North American flora and to protecting
the health of <st1:place w:st="on">New England</st1:place>’s native flora and
natural habitats, the Society leads the nation in native plant education and
innovation at the intersection of horticulture and plant conservation. </P>
<P class=NFS-Body style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=NFS-Body style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">New this year, the Landscape
Design Award celebrates the achievements of a New England-based firm or
individual specializing in landscape architecture or design with a long-term
commitment to the use of <B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">native
plants</B> in exceptional or distinctive landscape compositions. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Patrick Chass</B><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">é</SPAN>
</B>of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Mt. Desert Island</st1:City>,
<st1:State w:st="on">Maine</st1:State></st1:place> was recognized with the
premiere honor. Launched in 2007, the award also celebrates the 75th anniversary
of the Society's living museum and headquarters, Garden in the Woods. The
Conservation Award went to <B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Christopher
Mattrick </B>of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Campton</st1:City>,
<st1:State w:st="on">New Hampshire</st1:State></st1:place>, for dedication,
enthusiasm and leadership for identification and management of rare native
plants and invasive species and for inspiring and training others to support
those conservation efforts. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></P>
<P class=NFS-Body style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"></SPAN> </P>
<P class=NFS-Body style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"></SPAN>The <B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Nauset Garden Club </B>of Cape Cod received
the Homer Lucas Award for <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Public</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Gardens</st1:PlaceType> for creating and maintaining
the <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Lyn</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Peabody</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Wildflower</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">Gardens</st1:PlaceType>, a lovely naturalized garden promoting native
flora, located on the grounds of the <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">Museum</st1:PlaceType> of <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Natural
History</st1:PlaceName> in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City
w:st="on">Brewster</st1:City>, <st1:State
w:st="on">Massachusetts</st1:State></st1:place>. The Society recognized <B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Thomas Vining </B>of <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Bowdoin</st1:City>, <st1:State
w:st="on">Maine</st1:State></st1:place>, with the 2007 Education Award for
providing multiple opportunities for learning about botany, taxonomy, and
natural history through publications, collaboration, and involvement with the
Delta Institute. </P>
<P class=NFS-Body style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> </P>
<P class=NFS-Body style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">The Society honored three
individuals with its Outstanding Service to the Society Award. <B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Ruth Nastuk </B>of <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Lincoln</st1:City>, <st1:State
w:st="on">Massachusetts</st1:State></st1:place> was recognized for years of
cheerful and faithful service to the library and slide committees.<B><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 6"> </SPAN></B><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"></SPAN></P>
<P class=NFS-Body style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The Society honored <B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Bruce and Sarah Schwaegler</B> of
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Orford</st1:City>, <st1:State
w:st="on">New Hampshire</st1:State></st1:place>, for</P>
<P class=NFS-Body style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">irreplaceable support of the
Society in many ways including teaching, planning events, serving on committees
and for gracious and repeated hospitality to plant conservation volunteers.</P>
<P class=NFS-Body style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 4">
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></B></P>
<P class=NFS-Body style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">The Society also recognizes
special achievements in each <st1:place w:st="on">New England</st1:place> state.
The Connecticut State Award was presented to <B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Christine Cook</B> of <st1:City
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Easton</st1:place></st1:City>, for enthusiastic
work designing and planting ecological landscapes, especially with the
Connecticut Butterfly Association, and for talented leadership in teaching,
writing, and photography. <B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Charlie and
Barbara Grunden</B> of <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Falmouth</st1:place></st1:City> received the Maine State Award for
sharing superb botanical skills and photography expertise during an
unprecedented 896 volunteer hours as plant conservation (PCV) and invasive plant
(IPANE) volunteers. <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The
Massachusetts State Award went to <B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Elizabeth Kneiper</B> of Weston, for
expanding knowledge about lichens through dynamic teaching and scientific
inventories, and by providing field experience for amateurs and professionals.
<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Barbara McIlroy</B> of Etna was honored
with the New Hampshire State Award for organizing and inspiring conservation and
municipal groups, gardeners, students, and landowners to battle invasive species
on public and private lands throughout <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">New Hampshire</st1:place></st1:State> and the region. The Society
recognized <B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Garry Plunkett</B> of
Tiverton with the Rhode Island State Award for outstanding contributions to
plant conservation and land use through proactive local governance in town,
state and region, and for sharing passion for native plants through teaching
writing and tours. <B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Dr. James Graves
</B>of Middletown Springs received the Vermont State Award for dedicated work as
an educator and ecologist consistently promoting the use and appreciation of
native plants through <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">ex situ</I>
conservation, especially at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Green</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">Mountain</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">College</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>.</P>
<P class=NFS-Body style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=NFS-Body style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><STRONG><FONT
size=2> </FONT></STRONG></o:p><o:p><STRONG><FONT
size=2> </FONT></STRONG></o:p></P>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial-BoldMT; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial-BoldMT; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><o:p><STRONG> </STRONG></o:p></SPAN>To
nominate an individual or group for next year's awards contact <st1:PersonName
w:st="on">Karen Pierce</st1:PersonName> at <SPAN class=MsoHyperlink><SPAN
style="TEXT-DECORATION: none; text-underline: none"><U><FONT
color=#0000ff>kpierce@newenglandwild.org </FONT></U></SPAN></SPAN>or visit <SPAN
class=MsoHyperlink><SPAN style="TEXT-DECORATION: none; text-underline: none"><A
href="http://www.newenglandwild.org/"><SPAN
style="COLOR: windowtext; TEXT-DECORATION: none; text-underline: none">www.newenglandwild.org</SPAN></A><U><FONT
color=#0000ff>. </FONT></U></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Phone 508-877-7630 or TTY
508-877</P>
<P class=NFS-Body style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">6553.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></P>
<P class=NFS-Body style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=2> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=NFS-Body style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=2><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 5">
</SPAN><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>-<B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">END-<SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN></B></FONT></P>
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