The Rindge Conservation Commission has named Patricia “Pat” Martin as the recipient of its inaugural Conservationist of the Year Award.

The award recognizes commitment to one or more aspects of conservation within Rindge. Martin will be recognized at an RCC event on March 27 at 6:30 p.m. at the Rindge Recreation Center, 283 Wellington Road. The public is invited to attend.

The Conservationist of the Year Award was established in 2024 to recognize a person, business or organization that has inspired others with their dedication to land, water and wildlife habitat protection and has shown outstanding conservation volunteerism in the Town of Rindge.

Nominations for the award were solicited from residents of Rindge. A team of three judges with knowledge of conservation and the local community reviewed nominations and selected Martin. One judge is a member of RCC and two are people who live in Rindge.

According to RCC member Al Lefebvre, “Pat Martin was selected for the award because of her passion for protecting the environment. She doesn’t just talk about conservation and the environment, but actually does something about it. Pat’s not afraid to get dirty.”

Martin is an original member of the Rindge Conservation Corps, a group that works with RCC members on projects to improve Rindge’s conservation lands. She is a regular hands-on participant at work days, volunteering each year to clear trails, open new trails and create pollinator planting areas. Additionally, Martin encourages other Rindge residents to volunteer with the commission.

Besides supporting RCC, Martin has spearheaded efforts to reduce the town’s energy costs. As past chair of the Energy Commission, she developed energy audits of town buildings, worked on conversions to LED lighting and provided training on weatherization and using solar power. She is part of the Franklin Pierce University Institute of Climate Action that studies and shares information about the environment and ways to protect the earth’s resources.

The March 27 event to recognize Martin will also include a presentation on invasive species by Brian Colleran.

For information about the Conservationist of the Year Award or upcoming events, send email to the Rindge Conservation Commission at rindgeconcom@rindgenh.gov.