History of the Alice Zawadzki Land Conservation Fund
Alice Zawadzki’s Leadership
Alice Zawadzki served as NCNPS president from 2002–2006 and was one of the Society’s strongest advocates for conservation. During her tenure, NCNPS expanded its involvement in statewide conservation efforts, including:
- The Rare Plant Initiative
- Conservation partnerships
- Advocacy for stronger plant protection programs
- Stewardship of native plant habitats
The 2001 50th Anniversary issue identifies Alice as one of the emerging leaders helping move NCNPS beyond education and into active conservation.
Establishment of the Fund
Following Alice’s death in 2015, NCNPS received a significant bequest from her estate.
Rather than placing the funds into general operations, the Society chose to create the Alice Zawadzki Land Conservation Fund, ensuring that her lifelong commitment to protecting native plant habitats would continue.
Purpose
Unlike the:
- Shinn Fund, which supports research, and
- B.W. Wells Fund, which supports stewardship and restoration,
the Zawadzki Fund focuses on conservation of land and habitat.
Eligible activities include:
- Land acquisition
- Conservation easements
- Botanical inventories
- Habitat assessments
- Other activities that directly support permanent habitat protection
Significance
The creation of the fund represents an important milestone in NCNPS history.
For decades, the Society focused primarily on:
- Education
- Research
- Stewardship
The Zawadzki Fund added a fourth strategy:
Direct investment in habitat conservation.
Legacy
Together, the Society’s three major grant programs now represent a complete conservation model:
| Fund | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Tom & Bruce Shinn Fund | Research and scientific knowledge |
| B.W. Wells Stewardship Fund | Community conservation and restoration |
| Alice Zawadzki Land Conservation Fund | Permanent habitat protection |
This progression mirrors the evolution of NCNPS itself—from learning about native plants, to restoring habitats, to conserving the landscapes where those plants grow.