For over 40 years, Ms. Dean has dedicated herself to advocating for and educating others about native flora and wildflowers in the Southeastern U.S., especially those found in wetlands. She has contributed an extensive collection of photographs and descriptions to the Auburn University botanical archives and led rescue efforts to save plants from impending development.
Ms. Dean frequently shares her expertise and enthusiasm in presentations to garden clubs, Cooperative Extension audiences, and Teachers’ Conservation Workshops and maintains a highly regarded website about Alabama wildflowers that has received nearly 100,000 visitors since 1995. Her continued efforts are particularly remarkable as she approaches her ninetieth birthday in summer 2008.