Richard Enser moved to Vermont from Rhode Island after retiring from his position as coordinator of that state’s Natural Heritage Program, which he held for 28 years.  He is a founding member and past president of both the RI Wild Plant Society and the RI Natural History Survey.  For ten years, Enser taught a course in Endangered Species Management at University of RI, and he served as the state representative to the New England Plant Conservation Program since its inception. In spring of 2008, he was presented with Rhode Island’s 2008 Distinguished Naturalist Award.