In December 1895, 11 botanists gathered at the home of Harvard University’s Dr. William Farlow to organize and promote the study of New England plants. In 1899 the Club published the first issue of its later-prestigious scientific journal, Rhodora. Over the next century, NEBC amassed the largest herbarium of New England plant specimens (over 253,000), published many influential scientific reports, hosted countless public symposia, lectures and field trips, and awarded influential research grants. In 1997 it published in Rhodora New England’s official “Flora Conservanda: New England,” a scientific list of the “Plants that Must Be Conserved” in this region — a leading model for the nation. NEBC’s initiatives in rare and endangered native plant science have received awards from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (1979) and the New England Wildflower Society (2000) (Catalogue ’98, ’00). Harvard donates space for the herbarium and a small office, while member dues and contributions support operations. Several projects, however, have recently lapsed for lack of funding. If you would like to be a patron of science, here’s a cost-effective, blue-ribbon opportunity to be directly involved.