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Salt Marshes, #2        
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Saving the Salt Marshes, Part 2


picture Ruth being recognized during Hampton's 325th anniversary celebrations for her work to save the salt marshes
It started with a meeting Ruth called to organize the effort to save Hampton's salt marshes. Representatives from various state and local groups, the University of New Hampshire zoology and botany departments, fish and game clubs, the Hampton Garden Club and the Hampton Historical Society attended.

This led to a vote at a 1962 Hampton Town Meeting to establish a committee of seven conservation-minded citizens to work toward acquiring "a portion (350 acres or more) of Hampton's marshland, east of U.S. Rt. 1, to be preserved forever in its natural state for wildlife and conservation purposes."

Ruth was chosen to Chair the committee, which contacted marshland owners to ask if they would be willing to donate their salt marsh for wildlife and conservation purposes.

The committee's efforts were successful. As part of Hampton's 325th anniversary celebrations in 1963, Governor John King recognized the many people who had made gifts of salt marsh.

In May 1965, Ruth developed an exhibit about conserving the salt marshes for the 32nd Annual Meeting of the NH Federation of Garden Clubs. Later that month she received the National Council of State Garden Club's Green Ribbon Conservation Certificate for her work to preserve the salt marshes.

Christmas 1966 Ruth received a "kind note" from Hope Wright of Rye, a dedicated Audubon Society enthusiast, with whom she had worked. Ruth included the note in her autobiography.

"To wish you the best and with the hope that Snowy Egrets may grace the Hampton Marshes in the years to come. Also to say Thank You from these golden slippered ones for the great part you have played in preserving their habitat. Also many thanks to you for all your help and encouragement in my conservation efforts. Hope."

Treasured. A word that describe how Ruth felt about the Hampton salt marshes, and how people felt about Ruth's conservation work.