Native Plant Trust

Founders’ Medal Award

The Founders’ Medal is awarded for exceptional leadership and achievement in the conservation and promotion of healthy, biologically diverse landscapes. It recognizes individuals whose contributions to conservation, horticulture, or education have had a national or international impact, advancing the resilience of ecosystems and the public’s understanding of their value. The Founders’ Medal has been awarded only once before, in 2015, to Dr. Paul Smith, who was then head of the Millennium Seed Bank at Kew. “Dr. Foley is not only a world-class scientist—he’s a visionary whose work helps shape a climate-secure, biodiverse future for all,” said Native Plant Trust CEO Tim Johnson. “By translating rigorous science into practical solutions, Jonathan Foley embodies the very spirit of the Founders’ Medal. His leadership at Project Drawdown proves that bold, collaborative action can reverse climate change—and native plants play a vital role in that equation. It’s an honor to recognize a thinker whose integrity, clarity, and imagination are helping to change the trajectory of our planet.”

Foley noted about the award: “I was humbled beyond words when I heard I would be awarded the Founder’s Medal by Native Plant Trust. We share a deep love of New England and a vision of building a more sustainable future where nature and people can thrive together. At a time when our precious landscapes are under incredible threats, their mission couldn’t be more important to the
world.”

Dr. Jonathan Foley, Ph.D.
Dr. Jonathan Foley is a renowned environmental scientist, sustainability expert, and the executive director of Project Drawdown–the world’s leading resource for climate solutions. He is dedicated to addressing global environmental challenges, and his groundbreaking research on climate change, ecosystems, and food security has positioned him as a trusted advisor to governments, foundations, and businesses worldwide. Dr. Foley has published more than 130 peer-reviewed publications in leading journals, including Science and Nature. He is a noted science communicator, presenting at international venues such as TED, the World Bank, and the National Geographic Society. He has written for National Geographic, The New York Times, and Scientific American, and has appeared in major media outlets such as NPR, PBS NewsHour, and CNN.

Distinguished Leadership Award

Abby and Peter Coffin
As part of its 125th anniversary celebration, Native Plant Trust is proud to recognize Abby and Peter Coffin as recipients of the Distinguished Leadership Award. The Coffins are two high-impact leaders who embody the ideals in plant conservation and environmental protection. During her time on the Native Plant Trust board, council, committees, and as a member, Abby’s creative ideas, insights, and direction sustained and improved Native Plant Trust’s programs and operations. Peter, the founder and chair of Breckinridge Capital Advisors, recently completed his term as chair of the Board of The Trustees of Reservations, one of Native Plant Trust’s important partners. “Abby is one of the shapers of the modern Native Plant Trust, advising two of our executive directors and providing creative, action-oriented leadership of her board colleagues,” said Bill Huyett, Native Plant Trust’s board chair. “She and Peter love our landscapes and embody a powerful combination of generosity, vision, and hands-on commitment to the natural world. The Coffins understand the importance of institutional strength. Their dedication to conservation has had a lasting impact across New England and their contributions have strengthened the fabric of our institution. It is a privilege to celebrate their extraordinary leadership.”

One Hundred Twenty-Five Years of Impact: Inspired by Nature, Powered by Science
Formed in 1900 to combat the over-collection of native plants, Native Plant Trust is the nation’s first plant conservation organization and the only one focused solely on New England’s native flora. With a mission to protect rare species and keep common plants common, the organization’s work is both historic and urgently relevant.

Key achievements in the organization’s history include:

• • Pioneering Research to Save Biodiversity
    Co-authoring Conserving Plant Diversity in New England, which identifies 234 Important Plant Areas and calls for protection of 2.3 million climate-resilient acres

• • Leadership in Rare Plant Conservation
    Monitoring over 3,300 populations of 389 rare plant species; publishing the most comprehensive scientific data on New England’s flora

• • Seed Banking for Future Resilience
    Collecting and preserving seeds from thousands of New England’s rare plant species to support restoration and genetic diversity in the future

• • Restoring Cadillac Mountain’s Summit Habitat
    Rebuilding a damaged summit ecosystem at Acadia National Park with native plants and innovative propagation techniques

• • Supporting Hurricane Sandy Recovery
    Collecting seeds from 127 habitats to restore plant populations along the Eastern Seaboard after the storm’s devastation

• • Working to Restore a Globally Rare Species on the Edge
    Rescuing Robbins’ milk-vetch from extinction by augmenting fragile populations in difficult riverbank terrain

• • Crossing Boundaries to Save Endangered Species
    Native Plant Trust’s Conservation department led the formation of two innovative networks: the New England Plant Conservation Program (NEPCoP), which connects professional plant scientists in public agencies and private nonprofits to collect and share information about rare species; and Plant Conservation Volunteers, the first community science corps established to monitor rare plants. These systems create efficient ways for scientists to monitor rare plant populations, collect seed, manage habitat, and share crucial data across state lines and government jurisdictions.

• • Aiding a Monumental Comeback
    Contributing to the recovery and delisting of Robbins’ cinquefoil (Potentilla robbinsiana) from the federal endangered species list through trail rerouting, habitat protection, and offsite propagation

• • Pioneering Research to Save Biodiversity
    Co-authoring Conserving Plant Diversity in New England, which identifies 234 Important Plant Areas and calls for protection of 2.3 million climate-resilient acres