By Tom Harville
Do you know of a stellar native plant garden design; perhaps you know someone who is an excellent educator; a business whose advocacy of native plants is superlative? These and more native plant categories may be nominated by you for one of our awards. Nominations for next year’s awards are being accepted now until January 1, 2023 for seven awards in two categories. These are annual awards made every year to honor outstanding commitment to the goals of the North Carolina Native Plant Society.
Awards for the year 2021 will be presented at the June 2022 annual meeting.
https://ncwildflower.org/ncnps awards-program/
The first category encompasses four fields and is for individuals who are members of NCNPS. Awards in these four fields are designated for: 1/a person, 2/an educator, 3/a botanist or horticulturist, and 4/a natural resources conservationist. The second category is open to members and non-members alike. Awards in this category are made to: 1/a business or institution, 2/a landscape design of exemplary use of native plants in a public or private garden, 3/ an individual who advances the knowledge of native plants and advocates for conservation.
Nominations are Open Now
Nominations are accepted until January 1, 2023 and awards will be presented at the June 2023 annual NCNPS meeting.
The awards program recognizes individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to the Society and to the cause of native plant and habitat conservation by providing a means of publicly acknowledging such efforts.
Nomination Procedure
Nominations may be made for a specific category, or the nomination can allow the Awards Committee to place the nomination in the most appropriate category. Nominations shall consist of a resume outlining the accomplishments of the nominee and should be accompanied by at least 3 letters of support. Support letters may be from NCNPS members or the general public who are familiar with the nominee and his/her achievements and activities. Those selected to receive an award will be announced at the Annual Picnic in June of each year. The awards will also be announced in the summer edition of the newsletter. Submissions should be sent no later than January 1 to: The Awards Committee, 104 Birklands Drive, Cary, NC 27518.
Award Categories: Part I
Nominees of these awards must be NCNPS members.
President’s Award for Service to the Society recognizes the superior efforts of an individual to further the mission and purpose of the Society.
William Lanier Hunt Award for Environmental Education recognizes an individual for superior efforts in the area of education related to native plants. Educational efforts may be in the areas of public education (teaching), programs presented to the general public, writing, or research.
B. W. Wells Award for Excellence in Botany or Horticulture recognizes an individual for work in the field of botany or horticulture, whether that work be at the professional or amateur level.
C. Ritchie Bell Award for Natural Resource Conservation Advocacy recognizes the efforts of an individual to raise public awareness of environmental issues, to advocate for the environment, and to encourage The Society to keep environmental issues as a major component of its activities.
Award Categories: Part II
The nominees do not need to be NCNPS members.
H. L. Blomquist Award for Promoting Native Plants recognizes a business or institution in North Carolina that promotes the use of native plants, promotes alternatives to non-native invasive plants, or contributes in some way to the mission of the NC Native Plant Society.
Emily H. Allen Award for Landscape Design with Native Plant Material recognizes a public or private garden within North Carolina that makes exemplary use of native plant material and encourages such use in home or business landscapes (includes residential, business, or organization).
H. Roland Totten Award for Advancing Knowledge or Conservation of Native Plants recognizes the efforts of an individual to advance the knowledge of native plants and to advocate for the conservation of plants and their habitats.
Tom Harville is a life member and past president of the North Carolina Native Plant Society and is chairman of the NCNPS Awards Program.