Don's Jersey Birding: Dr. Edith Wallace receives Bergen County Audubon Society's Conservation Award


Dr. Wallace at the Bergen County Audubon Society Award Ceremony.
Photos courtesy of Mike Malzone

by Don Torino

One of the most frequently asked questions of celebrities and other folks in the public eye is, “If you could pick any person throughout history to have dinner with, who would it be?”

I believe that question would be phrased a little differently if it were asked to a birder or nature lover. A more appropriate question for most of us to ponder would be, “Who would you most like to spend a day in the field with?"

If I were asked that question, one of the first people to make it to the top of my list would be Dr. Edith Wallace. She was the winner this year for Bergen County Audubon Society's annual Harold Feinberg Conservation Award, which recognizes the work of local environmentalists.


Dr. Wallace accepting her award from Bergen County Audubon Society president, Beth Goldberg, and Harold Feinberg, on right.

From her hard work on the 3 year book project “Identifying Woody Plants of the Celery Farm” to 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 they may live or what their background may be, deserves to learn about the natural world and the wonders around them.


Edith leads many nature walks at Dekorte Park in the Meadowlands.

Edith never fails to challenge my knowledge of nature whenever I am fortunate enough to be out in the field with her. I never learned more about wild places and its creatures than I did after having the pleasure of her company because she is the consummate teacher. She not only schools me about why something in nature is the way it is, but more importantly why we need to cherish it.

Beth Goldberg, President of Bergen County Audubon Society, said, “Beyond all her accomplishments, it is still her ability to unselfishly teach everyone at all ages about the wonders of nature; that is what makes her special.”


Dr. Wallace leads a native plant walk at the Celery Farm.

Edith has been co-coordinator of the Lilac Garden Restoration Project at the New Jersey Botanical Gardens/Skylands for 13 years, and is a Passaic County master gardener. She earned her doctorate in zoology from Rutgers University, and has certificates in field botany, plant systematics, and ornamental horticulture from the New York Botanical Garden.

The Master Gardeners of Passaic County created a scholarship in Wallace’s name for students pursuing a degree in horticulture. She continues to give lectures and guided walks. You can view her events here: http://www.edithwallace.info/index.html     
 
Edith is a treasure and a special person that rarely comes along. I am a better person for having the privilege of her friendship, but more importantly, the Earth is better off too. Congratulations Edith!

To read more about Dr. Edith Wallace, visit: http://wildnewjersey.tv/2011/06/21/dons-jersey-birding-our-local-heroes-of-the-environment-part-4.aspx 


Don Torino is the Education Chairperson for Bergen County Audubon Society.   
 

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Posted by WILDNEWJERSEY at 12/27/2011 7:00 AM
Categories: Don's Jersey Birding
Tags: edith wallace Bergen County Audubon Society award conservation nature
 

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