March 12, 2026
Horned Grebe at the Celery Farm
My first ever here. And the spring arrivals are arriving! The grebe was No. 186 on my Celery Farm life…
Nature Done Wright
Incorporating the Celery Farm and Screech Owl Companion blogs
June 12, 2009
The Celery Farm grows a scholarship
Last night, the first Lillian and Stiles Thomas Scholarship was awarded to a deserving Northern Highlands Senior — Diana Wang.
Stiles and Lillian have been the prime movers to save and protect the Celery Farm for for than 50 years, and it was the Fyke Nature Association's idea that a scholarship be given in their honor.
With the help of the late Allendale Mayor Edward Fitzpatrick and a lot of other dedicated volunteers, The Thomases saved a parcel of land that many thought worthless and turned it into Allendale's enduring natural treasure.
We are trying to get a copy of the winning essay to post on this blog.
Click "Continue reading…" for more on the scholarship.
The Lillian and Stiles Thomas Scholarship
Presented by the Fyke Nature Association to a graduating senior of
Northern Highlands Regional High School who is pursuing a college
degree in the environmental sciences
Awarded to
Diana Wang
For her commitment to the environment and her participation in
community and school activities related to preserving our natural world
Northern Highlands Regional High School who is pursuing a college
degree in the environmental sciences
Awarded to
Diana Wang
For her commitment to the environment and her participation in
community and school activities related to preserving our natural world
June 11, 2009
More about the scholarship:
The Stiles and Lillian Thomas Environmental Studies Scholarship
is presented by the Fyke Nature Association to a student who will be
pursuing a career in the environmental sciences or ornithology.
Stiles and Lillian Thomas
have had a lifelong love of nature, birds and our natural areas. They
were instrumental in preserving the Celery Farm Natural Area in
Allendale.
Both have graciously given their time and know-how to the community,
also eager to mentor a new birder or rescue an injured hawk.
Stiles Thomas
founded the Mount Peter Hawk Watch in Warwick, NY -– the third oldest
in the United States -– and began the Hook Mountain Hawk Watch in
nearby Rockland County. He has put up Bluebird and Barn Owl nesting
boxes throughout Northern New Jersey.
Lillian Thomas
has been active in Allendale government and has been a longtime
volunteer at the Center for Food Action Food Center in Mahwah. She
also volunteers at the Celery Farm’s Pauline Oxnard Butterfly Garden.
Together, they have had a lasting and most positive impact on our borough, our community, and the wildlife that call Allendale Home.
The Stiles and Lillian Thomas Environmental Studies Scholarship
is presented by the Fyke Nature Association to a student who will be
pursuing a career in the environmental sciences or ornithology.
Stiles and Lillian Thomas
have had a lifelong love of nature, birds and our natural areas. They
were instrumental in preserving the Celery Farm Natural Area in
Allendale.
Both have graciously given their time and know-how to the community,
also eager to mentor a new birder or rescue an injured hawk.
Stiles Thomas
founded the Mount Peter Hawk Watch in Warwick, NY -– the third oldest
in the United States -– and began the Hook Mountain Hawk Watch in
nearby Rockland County. He has put up Bluebird and Barn Owl nesting
boxes throughout Northern New Jersey.
Lillian Thomas
has been active in Allendale government and has been a longtime
volunteer at the Center for Food Action Food Center in Mahwah. She
also volunteers at the Celery Farm’s Pauline Oxnard Butterfly Garden.
Together, they have had a lasting and most positive impact on our borough, our community, and the wildlife that call Allendale Home.
2 comments
-
What a wonderful concept. An investment in our youth always brings rewards. Congratulations to Diana Wang.
-
What an inspiration!
Leave your comment
Related Post
March 5, 2026
The Sky’s the Limit for This Birder
Fewer than 500 people worldwide have reported seeing this African bird – a blue-moustached bee-eater. Photo by Marc Chelemer By…
March 3, 2026
First Review: ‘The Peregrine Falcon’
I am pleased to share Booklist's magazine of my upcoming book... The Peregrine Falcon: The Epic Life and Times of…February 27, 2026
Revolutionary News!
On Thursday, the Allendale Borough Council plans to honor Founding Father John Fell, who was known as the "Great Tory…
2 comments
sally teschon
What a wonderful concept. An investment in our youth always brings rewards. Congratulations to Diana Wang.
Deedee
What an inspiration!