Marjory Mason Swope (1940–2007) was a conservationist, environmentalist, and civic leader. Swope served as executive director of the New Hampshire Association of Conservation Commissions (1981-2006) and chaired the Concord Conservation Commission.[1]

Early life and education

Swope was born in Orange, New Jersey to Virgil and Edith Rae Mason Swope on June 5, 1940. She graduated from the Beard School (now Morristown-Beard School) in 1958. Swope then completed her bachelor's degree at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts in 1962.[2]

Civic work

Swope served in multiple civic roles for the city of Concord, New Hampshire. She served on the city council for 11 years (1996-2007) and on the school board for six years (1975-1981). Swope ran the League of Women Voters office in Concord.[2] She also served on the board of directors of the Turkey River Basin Trust and on Groundwork Concord's committee for the improvement of green spaces in the city.[3]

Environmental Honors and Swope Park

Swope earned notoriety as the "grandmother" of local conservation commissions. In 2007, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded her their Environmental Merit Lifetime Achievement Award, one of their highest honors.[4] That year, the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests awarded Swope their Sarah Thorne Conservation Award.[2] Swope also had an honorary membership in the New Hampshire Association of Natural Resource Scientists.[5] In 2012, Concord held a ceremony to name a 77-acre park near Long Pond after her. Swope's husband John and her family donated the land for the park to the city.[5]

Family

Swope married John Swope in 1962. John Swope's grandfather, Gerard Swope, served as the third president of General Electric. His father served as the company's international counsel and headed Woods Hole Marine Biological Laboratory.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Doan, Daniel; MacDougall, Ruth Doan (2014). "Oak Hill". Explorer's Guide 50 More Hikes in New Hampshire: Day Hikes and Backpacking.
  2. 1 2 3 "Conservationist, civic leader". The Concord Monitor. 18 April 2007.
  3. ↑ Conaboy, Chelsea (6 February 2006). "Concord; Conservation leader to hand over reins; Swope has been a force in preservation". The Concord Monitor.
  4. ↑ Conaboy, Chelsea (19 April 2007). "Concord conservationist was to receive award from EPA; Swope died this week after cancer battle". The Concord Monitor."Longtime conservationist and city official Marjory Swope was scheduled to receive a lifetime achievement award yesterday from the Environmental Protection Agency during a ceremony in Boston's Faneuil Hall. Swope died Tuesday, about 18 months after being diagnosed with lung cancer. Her children accepted the award in her place. Swope's colleague Bob Varney, who was commissioner of the state Department of Environmental Services for 12 years and is now administrator of EPA's New England office, presented the award. Varney said Swope was considered by many to be 'the grandmother of local conservation commissions.'
  5. 1 2 Basham, Paul (18 July 2012). "Swope family donates 77 acres for park". The Concord Insider.
  6. ↑ "Marjory Mason To Be the Bride Of John Swope: Senior at Mt. Holyoke Betrothed to Student at Yale Law School". The New York Times. February 25, 1962.
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