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Conservation Award

East Bay Chapter Conservation Program Wins Award

The East Bay Chapter’s Conservation Program received a Volunteer Recognition Award from the California Native Plant Society Chapter Council. The award recognizes the Program’s ongoing efforts to protect and restore native plants and their habitats in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. It acknowledges the thousands of hours of volunteer efforts contributed to the Conservation Program by the following committees and their Chairs: Conservation—Laura Baker, Unusual Plants—Dianne Lake, Rare Plants—Heath Bartosh, Vegetation—Erin McDermott and also Conservation Analyst, Lech Naumovich. Laura Baker accepted the award at the Chapter Council Banquet in December She explained how much the Conservation Program relies on plant science. “Behind every comment letter on an EIR is the accumulated work of Dianne, Heath, and Erin and the many other volunteers on the committees and in the field that form a network of local experts. We are science-based—that’s the thing that distinguishes CNPS from every other environmental organization. The data compilation provides the reliable factual basis that gives us credibility. Without the science, our comments would simply be filed away as another set of opinions. Now agencies turn to us because, more often than not, they just don’t have the data that they need. “ Laura described how the Conservation Committee relies on the dedication of other hard-working volunteers. They write letters, show up at public meetings, bird-dog issues, and track information on the internet and through other sources. And, most importantly, the multi-talented Conservation Analyst, Lech Naumovich, infuses our conservation program with professionalism and dedication and creates partnerships wherever he goes. The recipients of the award wish to acknowledge the many volunteers both past and present and the former committee chairs who have helped build the East Bay Chapter’s Conservation Program through their work in the various committees, as well as our generous donors who have supported our Conservation Analyst’s position. This award is shared with them and is dedicated to their spirit of generosity and passion in protecting our native flora.

Delia Taylor