NEW ENGLAND WILD FLOWER SOCIETY

HONORS OUTSTANDING EDUCATION ACHIEVEMENT

Dr. Thomas Vining of Bowdoin, Maine was honored with the 2007 Taylor Education Award.  The Society is dedicated to protection of native North American flora, and the health of natural habitats throughout New England.  The Taylor Education Award recognizes an individual or a group for original and significant work that promotes public understanding and appreciation of temperate North American plants, Dr Vining was recognized for providing diversified and high-quality botanical education through the Delta Institute of Natural History, his publications, and collaborations.

An inspiring teacher and naturalist throughout his career, Gail Fenton, award nominator said of Vining, "He helped me become a better plant conservationist." Vining introduced Arthur Haines, also of Bowdoin, to botany.  "He taught me my first scientific name, Clintonia borealis —  bluebead lily," says Haines.  Haines has become a leader in the botanical world, is on the Society staff, and is the author of the Society's upcoming reference, Flora of New England. 

Vining received his undergraduate degree in Mathematics from Bates college and his doctorate from the University of Maine for his work on the molecular systematics of the Pinnaceae family and the genus Tsuga. Vining's extensive publication credits include articles for the Bulletin of the Josselyn Botanical Society of Maine, co-author of the Flora of Maine, a Manual for Identification of Native and Naturalized Vascular Plants of Maine with New England Wild Flower Society's Arthur Haines, and Living on the Edge, co-authored with Ruth Grierson, a guide to tide pool animals, seaweeds, and seaside plants, both published by V.F. Thomas Co. In August 2003 Dr. Vining founded the Delta Institute of Natural History in Bowdoin, Maine, on the principle that environmental protection and enjoyment of nature is enhanced with a greater knowledge of its diverse interrelationships. At the Institute one can buy nature books, take courses, and use the herbarium with over 15,000 specimens.

" I consider Tom to be an excellent choice for the education award," says Maine Mycological Association (MMA)  President and Director, Dorothy Spaulding.  Vining has been working on a multiple access identification key to Maine fungi and has helped guide the MMA in publishing the journal entries of Dr. Samuel Ristrich, "the mushroom guru." 

Vining is a talented and generous collaborator, and willingly offers the Institute's facilities to many nature organizations for their meetings, and continues to teach on a volunteer basis at other New England institutions providing engaging, well-researched, and humor-filled expertise. Described as a Renaissance man of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, Vining also published three books on geneology.  Reflecting the relationship between nature and mathematics, Vining designed a native sedge garden incorporating his mathematics interest using the Fibonacci series and the Golden Mean.

New England Wild Flower Society offers native plant programs at the Delta Institute, and in all six New England states, providing the nation's largest public program in this subject.

For  more information about the awards, or to nominate an individual or group for the 2008 awards, contact contact Karen Pierce at kpierce@newenglandwild.org. Phone 508-877-7630  or TTY 508-877-6553.