Diane is a New Hampshire native and the daughter of two long term volunteers for the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests. Her family ethos centered on respect for the environment, the motto of “reduce, reuse, recycle” and enjoyment of an abundance of home-grown vegetables. As she neared retirement from a long career as a family doctor and Hospice physician, she rejuvenated her childhood love of the earth through completing a Permaculture Design certification at D Acres and NH Cooperative Extension’s Natural Resource Stewards course. Her volunteer work as a Quincy Bog Host keeps her NRS knowledge fresh! She and her husband Pete Pirnie involved PAREI in the installation of a grid tied 9.3 KW solar PV array as part of the permaculture design for their Campton retirement home. The solar energy helps to power 2 plug in hybrid cars and mini splits as their main heat source. Local Foods Plymouth is a large part of their commitment to eating food produced within 100 miles of their home.  

Diane and Pete have 2 children – Steve is a physiatrist (rehab and physical medicine physician) in Rhode Island and Claire is a physical therapist in Maine.  2 of their 4 grandchildren have disabilities, and Diane and Pete help with their care as needed. Their other interests include travel, hiking, bicycling, and adding native plants to their property.