The Massachusetts State Award for Conserving Native Plants and Their Habitats was given to Melissa Dow Cullina of Boothbay Harbor, ME, for playing a key role in identifying and mapping rare plant species for the Biomap Project for the Natural Heritage Program.

The Biomap Project is used by private and governmental organizations to identify important areas to protect in order to conserve the native biodiversity of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. She has spent countless hours revising and improving the rare plants list for Massachusetts. Her work has put the botanical lists on sounder footing and increased their utility.