The New England Wildflower Society is based at the Garden in the Woods in Framingham, Massachusetts but its interests and activities cover all of New England. "From this base, 25 staff and more than 700 volunteers work throughout New England to monitor and protect rare and endangered plants, collect and preserve seeds to ensure biological diversity, detect and control invasive species, conduct research, and offer a range of educational programs. The Society also operates a native plant nursery at Nasami Farm in western Massachusetts and has seven sanctuaries in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont that are open to the public." Please see their website for more information.
The New England Botanical Club (NEBC), founded in 1895, is a non-profit organization promoting the study of plants of North America, especially the flora of New England and adjacent areas. The Club publishes the peer-reviewed journal Rhodora, holds monthly meetings during the academic year (usually at Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts), maintains an herbarium of more than 253,000 sheets, has a small library, and annually grants research and publication awards.
The Vermont Botanical & Bird Club comprises a group of people interested in observing, learning about, and enjoying plants and birds in the varied habitats of our state. Please see their website below for more information--you don't need to be a Vermonter to join!
The Elderberry, Sambucus nigra is native to the eastern United States. It has been widely used as an herbal remedy for centuries. After preparation, the berries have many benefits such as its ability to lower cholesterol, improve vision, boost the immune system, improve heart health and for coughs, colds, flu, bacterial and viral infections and tonsillitis.
Designing Gardens with Flora of the American East by 
Peterson Field Guide to Medicinal Plants and Herbs of Eastern and Central North America, Third Edition by 
Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/Brian W. Schaller.
The Green Mountain National Forest stretches from southwest Vermont to the central area of the state. The landscapes range from the rugged, exposed heights of the Green Mountains to the quiet, secluded hollows in the Wilderness. Its proximity to city centers gives the public easy access to enjoy the forest year round.