Barbara McIlroy of Etna received the New Hampshire State Award honoring individuals or organizations that have done great works in the field of botany or horticulture benefiting a New England State. Sally Cook, Committee Member, presented the award t saying, "Her greatest desire is to protect the environment and save special places."

"I moved to New Hampshire after living in New Jersey for more than thirty years where I watched a lovely forest understory become a suite of four invasive plants" recounted McIlroy.  "I view a healthy forest herbaceous understory and invasive plants as flip sides of the same coin. With the inspiration of the Society, and Chris Mattrick in particular, we got support for local restoration projects and I am hoping we can see a lot more people take action and get the support of local organizations."  

Ten years ago McIlroy formed the Upper Valley Purple Loosestrife Coalition to fight invasive plants in New Hampshire and Vermont.  She spearheaded the Stormwater Conference to control pollution of waterways and began a forum on the role of forests in the ecosystem.  McIlroy works with high school classes, garden clubs, conservation commissions, municipal groups, and the public to train volunteers on invasive plant control. She is a role model for all communities in the Upper Valley and is an extraordinary communicator.  She is a graduate of Duke University in North Carolina and Montclair State University in New Jersey.

McIlroy states, “We, as ethical gardeners and landowners have a responsibility for the future health of the natural areas in our region, and should garden so as to have no adverse impacts on the surrounding lands. Garden Clubs and other conservation organizations have a vital role to play in the education of the public, and are needed to provide leadership in promoting the protection, stewardship and restoration of natural areas. I am fortunate to have had both 'cover' and support (financial and other) from the Hanover Garden Club, the Hanover Conservation Council and the Hanover Conservation Commission in various conservation efforts related to invasive plants. I hope our example/experience will encourage others to use this experience as a model for action in other communities.