Don's Jersey Birding: Our Local Heroes of the Environment, Part 4
If you have a local hero of the environment, please e-mail me at Greatauk4@aol.com
Dr. Edith Wallace leading a group on a native plant tour at DeKorte Park.
Photos courtesy of Mike Malzone
A while back, a local school asked the Bergen County Audubon Society to identify and label plants at an adjacent nature center to help students learn about the native plants in their environment. I knew we would need a lot of help with this, and there was only one special person that I hoped would join us. Her answer came to me quickly from an e-mail.
"Just tell me where and when, Don, and I will be there,” she wrote.
The next morning we met at the nature center with packs full of field guides and plant tags. Not long after we began to get down to work, a group of three teenagers walked up to us with smirks on their faces and asked, "What are you guys doing?" They kind of nudged each other as if to say "look at these old fools identifying plants.”
I answered and put my head down wishing they would just go away.
"What is your favorite plant?" one of them asked, laughing with the others.
Edith slowly looked up into the teenagers’ faces and asked a question right back at them. "You wouldn't ask me who my favorite grandchild is would you?”
They just looked back kind of stunned by her response. Edith did not want them to just go away. In fact, she had them right where she wanted them. Like an enchanted spirit of the forest, she began to mesmerize them. She talked about the plants that surrounded them and the trees that were over their heads and how wonderful they were.
I knew I was witnessing something special, so I thought I would just sit back and enjoy the show. The three teenagers’ heads went up and down like bobble head dolls in the back window of a car. I am pretty sure they did not come out that morning expecting a seminar in botany, but they were totally enthralled with the talk in the woods that they were receiving. Edith had them hook, line, and sinker. 
“Edith’s knowledge of plants amazes me” said Mike Limatola, Marsh Warden of the Celery Farm. “It’s great to know her and have her always available when I have a question.”
Beyond all of her accomplishments, it is still her ability to unselfishly teach everyone from young children to us older folks about the wonders of nature that makes her special. From her hard work at the Meadowlands Butterfly Festival to leading field trips that help teach the importance of native plants in the landscape, she has devoted her life to the concept that everyone, no matter where you may live or what your background may be, deserves to learn about the natural wonders around them. It is our obligation to do that in the best way we can.
Recently, the Master Gardeners of Passaic County created a scholarship named in Edith's honor for students pursuing a degree in Horticulture. I often joke with her that I want to be Edith Wallace when I grow up.
Our local birds, flowers, and humans are much better with Edith at our side. She sets a great example and makes us all work harder to help bring nature to everyone, making us better people.
Just let me know where and when Edith, and I will be there too.
Don Torino is the Education Chairperson for Bergen County Audubon Society.
Categories: Don's Jersey Birding
Tags: environment native plants Bergen County Audubon Society nature Celery Farm
Kudos for this article on a local environmental hero. I recently had the pleasure of attending one of Edith's walks. It was well prepared & fascinating, constantly punctuated with valuable insight. By the day's end I was buzzing about her ear with questions galore. She answered all patiently with a smile, so very generous with her knowledge. I learned that day that Edith is indeed a master gardener, for she effortlessly sowed the seeds of knowledge & curiosity in many dormant yet fertile minds not unlike some woodland fairy.
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Well said Ealine, she is a special person
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