2002 Elizabeth Ann Bartholomew Award recipient--William H. Martin

Castanea, Sep 2002 by Pittillo, J Dan

Dr. William H. Martin, Professor of Biology and Director of the Division of Natural Areas at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) at Richmond, received the 2002 Elizabeth Bartholomew Award from the Southern Appalachian Botanical Society (SABS) at the 63rd annual meeting in Boone, North Carolina. The award was presented during the breakfast meeting on April 12, marking an outstanding career of service and education both professionally at the university and more generally with citizens of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. This award commemorates Elizabeth Ann Bartholomew's remarkable service to the botanical community and this organization.

Bill Martin began his professional career in animal husbandry at Tennessee Technical University where he received a B.S. in 1960 but thereafter he became interested in his true love of botany and attended the University of Tennessee where he achieved his M.S. in 1966 and Ph.D. in 1971 in botany. Earlier (1961-64) in his career he taught biology, chemistry, health, and general science in Orange Park, Florida but took the professor position at EKU in 1969 where he progressed to the rank of graduate faculty by 1976 and has been employed there since. In 1977 he became Director of the Division of Natural Areas at EKU but in 1992 decided to become more efficient in management of natural resources, taking leave from EKU to become the Commissioner for the Kentucky Department for Natural Resources where he served under two governors until 1998.

Among his service contributions, he served the Kentucky Chapter of The Nature Conservancy Board of Trustees (two terms, 1975-81 and 1983-86), Bluegrass Area Development District of Natural Resources advisory committee (1976-82 and 1985-), Kentucky River Authority (1992-98), Board of Directors of the 500-Year Forest Foundation (2000-), and has been a member of over a dozen other conservation organizations. Included among these service activities are protection of endangered species, panels of the Man and Biosphere Program, and the First Sino-American Expedition to Jiangsu Province in China.

He has held many offices in professional organizations. He chaired the Education Section of the Ecological Society of America (ESA), President of SABS, President of the Association of Southeastern Biologists, Secretary-Treasurer of the Southeastern Section of ESA, and chaired sections of the Kentucky Academy of Science and Tennessee Academy of Science.

Bill Martin has published at least 21 edited or refereed books and papers. Probably the greatest accomplishment was his lead in editing the three significant volumes on the Biodiversity of The Southeastern United States: Lowland Terrestrial Communities, Upland Terrestrial Communities, and Aquatic Communities.

He is distinguished by being selected as a Fellow of the Tennessee Academy of Science, Senior Research Fellow at Austin Peay State University Center of Excellence in Field Biology, Kentucky Wildlife Conservationist of the Year, Distinguished Service Award of the Kentucky Association of Conservation Districts, and Public Servant Earth Day Award of the Kentucky Environmental Quality Commission.

Colleagues have said of him, "He has continually displayed a passion for the environment. His efforts to preserve and protect our natural heritage will be felt in Kentucky for a very long time in the form of the Kentucky Land Heritage Commission." "In that job [Commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Natural Resources] ... I can verify that Dr. Martin earned his spurs as a public servant!" "How could we have overlooked him for as long as we have? He epitomizes the word 'service'!" "He cares deeply. About you. About me. About humanity. About the environmental legacy we leave for our descendants. That quality has shown itself magnanimously in his service to his chosen profession."

SABS is proud to honor William H. Martin for this very distinguished career and looks forward to his continued wisdom in managing our incredible botanical heritage.Managing Editor's Note: For historical perspective, let it be noted that at the 1986 Spring Council meeting (USC-Columbia), the minutes reflect president Martin's interest in an award. "Martin raised the idea of developing an award to be given to a botanist for outstanding public service and promoting plant conservation. He suggested that it might be called the Betty Bartholomew Award. Development of this concept was deferred to van Horn's presidency." In the spring 1987 Council meeting van Horn presented a draft of the Bartholomew Award. Incoming president Haynes selected a committee with Martin as Chair. The proposal and guidelines were approved at the April 1988 breakfast meeting in Biloxi, Mississippi. Aaron J. Sharp was named the first recipient in 1989. Dr. Martin is our 14th recipient. Because of his vision, our society can give this award to a deserving colleague. It is so fitting that it has 'come around' to him.

J. DAN

PITTILLO, WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY; CHAIR, THE ELIZABETH BARTHOLOMEW AWARD COMMITTEE.