AmericanEnvironmental

LeadersFrom Colonial Times to the Present

Anne Becher and Joseph Richey

G R E Y H O U S E P U B L I S H I N G

1volume A-L

American Environmental Leaders

Volume I

American Environmental LeadersFrom Colonial Times to the Present

Volume IA–L

Anne BecherJoseph Richey

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Publisher’s Cataloging-In-Publication Data(Prepared by The Donohue Group, Inc.)

Becher, Anne. American environmental leaders : colonial times to the present / AnneBecher, Joseph Richey. — 2nd ed.

2 v. : ill. ; 28 cm.Includes bibliographical references and index.Content: v. 1. A-L — v. 2. M-Z.ISBN: 978-1-59237-119-8

1. Environmentalists—United States—Biography. I. Richey, Joseph. II. Title.GE55 .B43 2008363.7/0092/273

DUST STORM DISASTERWords and Music by Woody GuthrieTRO-� Copyright 1960 (Renewed) 1963 (Renewed) Ludlow Music, Inc., New York, NY.Used by permission.

ROLL ON, COLUMBIAWords by Woody GuthrieMusic based on GOODNIGHT, IRENE by Huddie Ledbetter and John A. LomaxTRO-� Copyright 1936 (Renewed) 1957 (Renewed) and 1963 (Renewed)Ludlow Music, Inc., New York, NY. Used by permission.

THIS LAND IS YOUR LANDWords and Music by Woody GuthrieTRO-� Copyright 1956 (Renewed) 1958 (Renewed) 1970 (Renewed) 1972(Renewed) Ludlow Music, Inc., New York, NY. Used by permission.

SAILING DOWN MY GOLDEN RIVERWords and Music by Pete SeegerTRO-� Copyright 1971 (Renewed) Melody Trails, Inc., New York, NY. Used by permission.

DIRTY STREAMWritten by Pete SeegerPublished by SANGA MUSIC, INC. Administered by The Royalty Network. Used by permission.

Table of Contents

Volume IList of American Environmental Leaders, vii

Preface, xiii

Acknowledgments, xv

Introduction, xix

Biographical Profiles A–L, 1

Volume IIList of American Environmental Leaders, vii

Biographical Profiles M–Z, 499

Key Documents, 897

Timeline, 1003

List of Leaders by Occupation/Focus, 1015

Index, 1025

About the Authors, 1051

v

List of American Environmental Leaders

Blackgoat, Roberta, 94Volume IBlaeloch, Janine, 96Abbey, Edward, 3Bloomberg, Michael, 98Ackerman, Diane, 4Bookchin, Murray, 100Adams, Ansel, 6Boulding, Kenneth, 102Adams, Henry, 8Bramble, Barbara, 104Adams, John Hamilton, 10Brand, Stewart, 107Adams, John Quincy, 12Brandborg, Stewart, 109Addams, Jane, 13Bresette, Walt, 113Albright, Horace, 15Brower, David, 115Alston, Dana, 17Brown, Janet, 118Amidon, Elias, and Elizabeth Roberts, 19Brown, Lester, 119Anderson, Adrienne, 21Brown, Michael, 122Anderson, Ray, 25Browner, Carol, 124Andrus, Cecil, 27Bullard, Robert D., 126Anthony, Carl, 29Burroughs, John, 129Audubon, John James, 31Butcher, Devereux, 131Austin, Mary, 33Cade, Thomas, 135Ausubel, Kenny, 36Caldwell, Lynton, 137Ayres, Richard, 38Callicott, J. Baird, 139Babbitt, Bruce, 43Carhart, Arthur, 141Bahouth, Peter, 44Carlton, Jasper, 143Bailey, Florence Augusta Merriam, 46Carr, Archie, 145Ball, Betty, and Gary Ball, 48Carr, Marjorie Harris, 148Balog, James D., 51Carson, Rachel, 150Bari, Judi, 52Carter, Jimmy, 152Bartlett, Albert, 55

Bartram, John, and William Bartram, 58 Carter, Majora, 155Bates, Marston, 60 Carver, George Washington, 157Bauer, Catherine, 61 Castillo, Aurora, 159Bavaria, Joan, 63 Catlin, George, 160Bean, Michael, 65 Caudill, Harry, 162Beattie, Mollie, 67 Chafee, John, 164Beebe, C. William, 69 Chapman, Frank, 166Begley, Ed, Jr., 71 Chappell, Kate, and Tom Chappell, 167Bennett, Hugh Hammond, 73 Chase, Robin, 170Benyus, Janine, 76 Chavez, Cesar, 172Berg, Peter, 74 Chavis, Benjamin, 174Berle, Peter, 78 Chief Sealth (Seattle), 734Berry, Friar Thomas, 80 Christy, Elizabeth, 176Berry, Wendell, 82 Cizik, Richard, 178Bertell, Rosalie, 84 Clawson, Marion, 179Bien, Amos, 86 Cobb, John B., Jr., 181Bierstadt, Albert, 89 Colborn, Theo, 183Bingham, Eula, 91 Colby, William, 186Bixby, Kevin, 93 Cole, Thomas, 188

vii

LIST OF AMERICAN ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERS

Collom, Jack, 190 Fossey, Dian, 302Commoner, Barry, 192 Franklin, Jerry, 304Connett, Ellen, and Paul Connett, 194 Frome, Michael, 306Conway, Stuart, 197 Fuller, Buckminster, 309Cook, Richard A., 198 Fuller, Kathryn, 312Cooper, James Fenimore, 201 Futrell, J. William, 314Costle, Douglas, 202 Gagliano, Sherwood M., 319Cowles, Henry, 204 Geisel, Theodor (Dr. Seuss), 320Cox, Paul, 206 Gelbspan, Ross, 323Craighead, Frank, and John Craighead, 208 Gibbs, Lois, 325Cronon, William, 211 Gleason, Henry Allan, 327Daly, Herman, 215 Gold, Lou, 329Darley, Julian and Celine Fanny Rich, 217 Golten, Robert, 331Darling, Jay Norwood “Ding”, 220 Goodman, Paul, 333David, Laurie Ellen, 224 Gore, Albert, Jr., 335Dawson, Richard, 226 Gottlieb, Robert, 338DeBonis, Jeff, 228 Gould, Stephen Jay, 341Desser, Christina Louise, 231 Gray, Asa, 343Devall, Bill, 233 Grinnell, George Bird, 345Devoto, Bernard, 234 Grogan, Pete, 347DiCaprio, Leonardo, 236 Grossman, Richard L., 349Dilg, Will, 238 Gussow, Joan Dye, 352Dingell, John, Jr., 239 Guthrie, Woody, 354Dittmar, Hank, 241 Gutierrez, Juana Beatriz, 357Dombeck, Michael, 244 Hair, Jay, 363Donovan, Richard, 246 Hamilton, Alice, 365Douglas, Marjory Stoneman, 249 Hansen, James E., 367Douglas, William Orville, 251 Hardin, Garrett, 370Dowie, Mark, 253 Harrelson, Woody, 372Downing, Andrew Jackson, 255 Harry, Debra, 374Drayton, William, 257 Harvey, Dorothy Webster, 376Drury, Newton, 259 Hawken, Paul, 379Dubos, Rene, 262 Hayes, Denis, 382Dunlap, Louise, 264 Hayes, Randy, 383Durning, Alan, 265 Hays, Samuel P., 385Dutcher, William, 267 Henderson, Hazel, 387Dyer, Polly, 270 Hermach, Tim, 390Earle, Sylvia, 275 Hill, Julia Butterfly, 392Edge, Rosalie, 277 Hoagland, Edward, 395Ehrenfeld, David, 279 Hornaday, William Temple, 397Ehrlich, Anne, and Paul Ehrlich, 281 House, Donna, 399Eisner, Thomas, 284 Huerta, Dolores, 402Ellis, Juliet, 286 Ickes, Harold, 409Elton, Charles S., 288 Ingram, Helen, 411Emerson, Ralph Waldo, 290 Jackson, Henry, 415Figueroa, Rogelio, 295 Jackson, Wes, 417Fontenot, Willie, 296 Jacobson, Michael, 419Foreman, Dave, 299 Janzen, Daniel H., 421

viii

LIST OF AMERICAN ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERS

Jensen, Derrick, 424 McDowell, Mary, 528Johnson, Glenn S., 425 McHarg, Ian, 530Johnson, Hazel, 428 McKibben, Bill, 532Johnson, Lady Bird (Claudia Alta), 431 McPhee, John, 534Johnson, Robert Underwood, 433 Meadows, Donella H., 536Jones, Van, 435 Meany, Edmond, 538Jontz, Jim, 437 Merchant, Carolyn, 540Jordan, Chris, 439 Merculieff, Ilarion (Larry), 542Jukofsky, Diane, 441 Miller, Laura, 545Kamp, Dick, 445 Mills, Enos, 546Kane, Hal, 446 Mills, Stephanie, 548Katz, Daniel, 449 Mitchell, George J., 550Kaufman, Hugh, 451 Mittermeier, Russell, 553Kellert, Stephen, 453 Montague, Peter, 554Kendall, Henry, 456 Moses, Marion, 556Kennedy, Robert F., Jr., 457 Moss, Cynthia, 558Kingsolver, Barbara, 460 Moss, Doug, 560Kratt, Chris, and Martin Kratt, 461 Muir, John, 562Krupp, Fred, 463 Mumford, Lewis, 565LaBudde, Samuel, 469 Murie, Mardy, and Olaus Murie, 568LaDuke, Winona, 471 Muskie, Edmund, 570Lammers, Owen, 473 Nabhan, Gary, 575Lappe, Frances Moore, 475 Nader, Ralph, 577Leopold, Aldo, 478 Nagel, Carlos, 579Lindbergh, Anne Morrow, and Charles Nash, Roderick, 581

Augustus Lindbergh, 480 Nearing, Helen, and Scott Nearing, 584Littletree, Alicia, 482 Needleman, Herbert, 586Lopez, Barry, 484 Nelson, Gaylord, 588Louv, Richard, 486 Nelson, Willie, 590Lovejoy, Thomas, 488 Newman, Nell, 591Lovins, Amory, and Hunter Lovins, 490 Nickels, Greg, 594Luce, Benjamin, 492 Norton, Bryan, 596Lyons, Oren, 494 Noss, Reed, 598

Odum, Eugene, 603Volume II Oliver, Mary, 605MacKaye, Benton, 499 Olmsted, Frederick Law, Jr., 609Mader, Ron, 500 Olmsted, Frederick Law, Sr., 607Mander, Jerry, 503 Olson, Molly Harriss, 610Mann, Michael E., 505 Olson, Sigurd, 612Manning, Richard, 507 Orr, David, 615Marsh, George Perkins, 510 Osborn, Fairfield, 616Marshall, Robert, 512 Owings, Margaret, 618Marston, Betsy, and Ed Marston, 514 Packard, Steve, 623Martınez, Dennis, 516 Palmer, Paula, 625Mather, Stephen, 519 Parkman, Francis, 627Matthiessen, Peter, 521 Peacock, Doug, 629McCloskey, Michael, 523 Perkins, Jane, 631McDonough, William, 525 Peterson, Roger Tory, 633

ix

LIST OF AMERICAN ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERS

Peterson, Russell, 635 Seton, Ernest Thompson, 743Pinchot, Gifford, 637 Shabecoff, Philip, 746Plotkin, Mark, 639 Shapiro, Andrew L., 748Pollan, Michael, 642 Shuey, Chris, 750Popper, Deborah, and Frank Popper, 643 Silkwood, Karen, 753Postel, Sandra, 647 Sive, David, 754Pough, Richard, 649 Smith, Rocky, 757Powell, John Wesley, 652 Sneed, Cathrine, 758Pritchard, Paul C., 654 Snyder, Gary, 760Pryor, Cynthia, 657 Soleri, Paolo, 762Pulido, Laura, 658 Solomon, Susan, 765Raven, Peter, 663 Soule, Michael, 766Red Cloud, Henry, 665 Speth, James Gustave, 769Reilly, William K., 667 Standing Bear, Chief Luther, 771Reisner, Marc, 669 Steel, William, 773Reynolds, Michael, 670 Stegner, Wallace, 775Richards, Ellen Swallow, 673 Steingraber, Sandra, 776Rifkin, Jeremy, 675 Stone, Christopher, 779Ringo, Jerome C., 677 Stone-Manning, Tracy, 780Ritter, Bill, Jr., 679 Subra, Wilma, 783Robbins, John, 682 Suckling, Kieran, 785Robin, Vicki, 684 Susanka, Sarah, 787Rockefeller, John D., Jr., 686 Swearingen, Terri, 789Rockefeller, Laurance, 689 Tall, JoAnn, 795Rodale, Robert, 691 Tamminen, Terry, 797Rolfes, Anne, 693 Tchozewski, D. Chet, 799Rolston, Holmes, III, 695 Tewa, Debby, 802Roosevelt, Franklin D., 697 Thompson, Chief Tommy Kuni, 804Roosevelt, Theodore, 699 Thoreau, Henry David, 806Rosenfeld, Arthur H., 702 Thorne, Oakleigh, II, 809Roszak, Theodore, 703 Thorpe, Grace, 812Ruether, Rosemary Radford, 705 Tidwell, Michael, 814Safina, Carl, 709 Tokar, Brian, 817Sagan, Carl, 712 Tompkins, Douglas, 819Sale, Kirkpatrick, 714 Toor, Will, 821Sandoval, Arturo, 716 Turner, Frederick Jackson, 823Sanjour, William, 718 Turner, Ted, 824Sargent, Charles Sprague, 719 Udall, Morris, 829Sawhill, John, 721 Udall, Stewart, 831Schlickeisen, Rodger, 724 Vogt, William, 837Schneider, Stephen, 725 Walter, Martin, 841Schultes, Richard Evans, 728 Warburton, Barbara, 843Schurz, Carl, 730 Waring, George, 844Schwarzenegger, Arnold, 732 Warshall, Peter, 846Seeger, Pete, 736 Watson, Paul, 848Selikoff, Irving, 738 Waxman, Henry, 850Seo, Danny, 740 Werbach, Adam, 852Sessions, George, 742 Whealy, Diane, and Kent Whealy, 854

x

LIST OF AMERICAN ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERS

White, Gilbert F., 857 Winter, Paul, 874White, Lynn, Jr., 859 Wolf, Hazel, 877Whitman, Walt, 861 Wolke, Howie, 879Willcox, Louisa, 864 Woodwell, George, 881Wille, Chris, 866 Worster, Donald, 883Williams, Terry Tempest, 868 Yard, Robert Sterling, 889Wilson, Diane, 871 Zahniser, Howard, 893Wilson, Edward O., 872 Zwick, David, 895

xi

Preface

American Environmental Leaders: From Co- ters. American Bison almost disappeared aslonial Times to the Present, covers the con- well, but were saved by the efforts of big-fluence of the multifaceted environmental game hunters like Theodore Roosevelt andmovement and its protagonists’ many heroic George Bird Grinnell, and the first Audubonacts on behalf of the natural world, over a Society president, William Dutcher, whotwo-hundred year period of history. This bio- fought for the earliest state and federal birdgraphical dictionary refers readers to individ- protection laws. Efforts to preserve endan-uals who have forged lasting positive environ- gered species and their habitats have contin-mental impacts on their immediate surround- ued through the work of innumerable activ-ings, the nation, or the planet at large. ists–people and organizations like Kieran

Along with historical environmental cham- Suckling who co-founded the Center for Bio-pions, we include living forward thinkers and logical Diversity, and Louisa Willcox whodoers, those who conceive and implement works in the Northern Rockies to protect thenew best practices and positive visions for habitat of grizzlies and wolves. Given the realthe future. Fortunately, there are many more and present danger that global climate changeenvironmental leaders than we could profile presents to large mammals, leaders like Cyn-in this tome. For this second edition, we have thia Moss seek to preserve the elephant popu-especially tried to capture recent develop- lation; mariner Paul Watson of Sea Shepherdments in the fast changing fields of earth sci- defends whales, dolphins, and sea lions; Hen-ence, policy making, environmental activism ry Red Cloud of the Lakota is helping to bringand the arts. back herds of buffalo.

The book honors about 400 American envi- Protecting natural resources such as for-ronmental leaders—well-known founders and ests, water, minerals and soil, and promotingleaders of the diversified strands of the envi- more efficient and sustainable use of themronmental movement, as well as some unsung has steadily gained importance since coloniallocal, regional, or behind-the-scenes actors, times. Nineteenth-century scholar Georgewithout whose work, vital advances may have Perkins Marsh first wrote about how humanremained mere concepts or proposals. A spe- activity could damage the environment in hiscial effort was made to include not only the Man and Nature, or Physical Geography as

most well-known movers and shakers, but Modified by Human Action (1864). Sincealso those who collaborate on important lev- then there have been full-scale efforts to re-els that are often less visible. duce the negative impact of agriculture and

The struggles to preserve spectacular the extractive industries on the health of thetracks of wilderness present a panorama of environment. Agricultural scientist Georgeheroes and heroines. Among the best known Washington Carver taught impoverishedare John Muir, the voice of Yosemite and Southern farmers to grow such soil-enrichingfounding president of the Sierra Club, and crops as peanuts, sweet potatoes, and black-Stephen Mather, the dynamic first director of eyed peas, showed them how to prepare thesethe National Park Service, who with staff foods, and convinced the U.S. Congress in themembers Robert Sterling Yard and Horace Al- 1920s to provide economic incentives forbright, convinced Congress and the American their production. This work contains profilespeople of the value of national parks. of several subsequent promoters of sustaina-

Others have dedicated themselves to pre- ble agriculture, including Soil Conservationserving endangered species and habitats. Spe- Service director Hugh Hammond Bennett, or-cies loss emerged as a concern during the late ganic gardening guru Robert Rodale, and phi-19th century when the once-commonplace losopher-farmer Wes Jackson. We have high-passenger pigeons were exterminated by hun- lighted the recent work of novelist Barbara

xiii

PREFACE

Kingsolver and journalist Michael Pollan as it lines as ice caps melt north and south. As aresult, innovations have been conceived, pro-helps expand the locally-grown food move-posed, and actualized in the areas of urbanment.design, sustainable building practices, land-Seeing the potential of industry to helpscape architecture, mass transit, renewablesolve global energy and environmental prob-energy, and localized food production. Thislems, contemporary visionaries such as entre-second edition includes several prominent in-preneur Paul Hawken and Rocky Mountaindividuals who specialize in these areas.Institute-founders Amory and Hunter Lovins

Driving some of the conversion toward re-have helped private businesses—includingnewable and sustainable systems are businesssome of the largest in the United States—toexecutives, investment bankers and philan-become more efficient and sustainable inthropists. We included Joan Bavaria, an in-their practices. One of their clients, Ray An-vestment banker who founded the Coalitionderson of Interface, Inc., the largest commer-for Environmentally Responsible Economies,cial carpet, tile, and interior fabrics companyand New York City Mayor Michael Bloombergin the world, has converted his company intowho, with the power of capital and politicala model of sustainability and environmentalposition, helps move private sector drivers toresponsibility.run cleaner industries.Unfortunately, most industry leaders are

The subjects chosen for these volumes arenot as environmentally-conscientious as An-diverse, and their diversity strengthens andderson, and many of the environmental fAU-enhances the environmental movement.THORleaders featured in this book are activ-Poets, lawyers, economists, farmers, grass-ists who have felt called to fight the industrialroots activists, scientists, theologians, sani-pollution that ruins their homes. One of thesetary engineers, and musicians—their storiesactivists was Grace Thorpe who founded theare lessons in conscience, creativity, andnational Environmental Council of Nativecommitment. Many are guided by strong con-Americans in 1993 to support Indian nationsvictions and an inner knowledge of how tothat refused the persistent requests by nucle-make the world a healthier place.ar industry and the federal government to

A lofty goal of American Environmentalstore nuclear waste on their land.Leaders is to inspire effective environmentalImproving urban landscapes is anotherwork from its readers. A less lofty, yet still vi-piece of the complete picture of environmen-tal goal, is encouraging readers to follow uptal work taking place in our country. We havewith additional research using the excellent,profiled inner-city environmental justice orga-up-to-date bibliographic resources availablenizers like Marjora Carter in the South Bronx,about the leaders we’ve profiled and theirand Van Jones and Juliet Ellis in the San Fran-work—provided at the conclusion of each en-cisco Bay Area enhancing urban ecology andtry.reducing metropolitan areas’ carbon foot-

This second edition significantly improvesprint.the first edition, which was published in 2000.As with the first edition, this second editionIn addition to expanding the list of subjects tofocuses on those individuals whose worknearly 400, we include a colorful Timeline ofleads new trends in early 21st century Ameri-the environmental movement and a collectioncan environmentalism. One such trend hasof Key Documents. We are delighted to offerbeen the growth in climate science. Climatol-this contribution to the great and ever-ex-ogists, meteorologists and geomorphologistspanding bibliography of works about our en-now make headline news. More evidence ofvironment and those working to protect andsevere climate change appears on a weeklyconserve it.basis: reductions in diversity of flora and fau-

na, rising ocean temperatures, more frequent Anne Becher

storms and severe weather, receding coast- Joseph Richey

xiv

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Grey House Publishing for The following subjects provided informa-the opportunity to compile and edit this sec- tion for and/or reviewed their own entries, orond edition of American Environmental an assistant did this; if this was done only forLeaders. Thanks to our kind, cheerful and the version in the first edition of the book,ever-helpful editorial assistant at Grey House, that is indicated parenthetically:Jael Powell and to Laura Mars-Proietti who

John Hamilton Adams (with Ann Roach)communicated her vision for this expandedDana Alston (1st edition, Larry Kressley andand improved edition. They gave us the

Adisa Douglas)chance to improve the first edition, and gentlyElias Amidon and Elizabeth Robertsmid-wived the book to its completion.Adrienne AndersonFriends and colleagues who helped us com-Ray Anderson (Lisa Cape Lilienthal)pile the subject list include:Carl Anthony (Martha Olson)Cain Allen, David Augeri, Richard Ayres,Kenny Ausubel (Aaron Leventman)Matt Baker, David Barsamian, Ingrid Becher,Richard Ayres (1st edition)Amos Bien, Stewart Brandborg, CharlotteBetty and Gary BallCaldwell, Duncan Campbell, Bill Chaloupka,James Balog (Sport)Eric Doub, Paul Dresman, Elizabeth Dubrulle,Judi Bari (1st edition, Alicia Littletree)Michael Egan, Willie Fontenot, Robert Gass,Albert BartlettTom Goldtooth, Bob Golten, Robert Gottlieb,Michael BeanMarie Gould, Diane Hadley, Benjamin Hale,Ed Begley, Jr. (1st edition)Jennifer Heath, Theron Horton, Linda Irvine,Peter BergFrank Joyce, Diane Jukofsky, Gwyn Kirk, Ka-Peter Berle (1st edition)mala Kempadoo, Marda Kirn, Meg Knox, RonAmos BienMader, Bob McFarland, John Opie, PaulaEula BinghamPalmer, Jane Perkins, Lori Lea Pourier, An-Kevin Bixbynette Ramos, Gretchen Reinhardt, RandyJanine BlaelochRoark, Brian Russell, Rachel White Scheuer-Murray Bookchin (1st edition, with Janeting, Mark Schleifstein, Chet Tchozewski, Will

Biehl)Toor, Jeff Wagenheim, Marty Walter, HowardBarbara Bramble (1st edition)Wapner, Paul Wapner, Peter Warshall, andStewart Brandborg (with Anna VeeChris Wille.

Brandborg)Special thanks to Mariella Colvin whoWalt Bresette (1st edition, Rick Whaley andhelped with on-line bibliographic research. In-

Tom Goldtooth)grid and Ted Becher fortified the timelineRobert Bullard (Glenn S. Johnson)with copious library research and synopsizedTom Cadethe passage of key bills of legislation. AngieLynton Caldwell (1st edition)Layton gave tips on recent environmental leg-J. Baird Callicottislation. Patricia Romero Lankao pointed usJasper Carlton (1st edition)to useful documents on climate change poli-Majora Carter (James Chase)cy. Christy Jespersen saw how our summerRobin Chasewas going and invited our kids out for a splen-John B. Cobb, Jr. (with Trisha Famisaran)did full day of climbing at a key point in ourTheo Colborn (with Rose Baeur)attempt to meet a deadline.Jack Collom

* Ellen and Paul Connett

xv

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Stuart Conway Richard KampRichard A. Cook (Alice Hartley) Hal KanePaul Cox (1st edition) Daniel KatzFrank and John Craighead, (1st edition, with Hugh Kaufman (1st edition)

John Willis Craighead, Charlie Craighead) Stephen KellertHerman Daly Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. (1st edition)Richard Dawson Chris and Martin Kratt (Susan McLennan)Jeff DeBonis Samuel LaBudde (1st edition)Chris Desser Alicia Littletree (1st edition)Bill Devall (1st edition) Richard LouvHank Dittmar Amory and Hunter Lovins (1st edition)Michael Dombeck Ron MaderRichard Donovan Michael MannMark Dowie (1st edition) Richard Manning (1st edition)Louise Dunlap (Joe Browder) Ed and Betsy MarstonAlan Durning Dennis Martinez (1st edition)Polly Dyer Carolyn Merchant (1st edition)Anne and Paul Ehrlich Ilarion MerculieffThomas Eisner (with Janis Strope) Stephanie MillsJuliet Ellis Peter Montague (1st edition, Maria Pellerano)Rogelio Figueroa Doug MossWilliam Fontenot Carlos Nagel (1st edition)Jerry Franklin (1st edition) Nell Newman (Sally Shepard)Michael Frome (1st edition) Greg Nickels (Sue Nakamura)Kathryn Fuller (1st edition, with Lisa Clark) Reed NossJ. William Futrell Eugene Odurn (1st edition)Ross Gelbspan (1st edition) Molly Olson (1st edition)Lois Marie Gibbs (1st edition) David Orr (1st edition)Lou Gold (1st edition) Steve Packard (1st edition)Bob Golten Paula PalmerRobert Gottlieb Jane Perkins (1st edition)Pete Grogan Michael PollanRichard Grossman Frank and Deborah PopperJoan Gussow Sandra PostelJames E. Hansen Paul PritchardDebra Harry (1st edition) Cynthia PryorDorothy Harvey (with Mark Harvey) Laura Pulido (1st edition)Paul Hawken (1st edition) Peter RavenRandy Hayes (1st edition) Jerome Ringo (Daphne Butler, KeithSamuel P. Hays Schneider)Tim Herrnach Bill Ritter Jr. (Evan Dreyer)Donna House John Robbins (1st edition, with Deo Robbins)Daniel Janzen Vicki Robin (1st edition)Glenn S. Johnson Holmes Rolston, IIIHazel Johnson (1st edition) Rosemary Radford RuetherVan Jones (Marni Tomljanovic) Carl Safina (with Megan Smith)Chris Jordan (Mike Lengel) Arturo SandovalDiane Jukowski (with Gretchen Ruethling) Bill Sanjour (1st edition)

xvi

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Arnold Schwarzenegger (Kira Heinrichs) Eleanor Crandall: Paul PritchardRodger Schlickeisen (1st edition, with Aimee Kris Daehler: Jerry Mander

Delach)Kevin Dahl: Gary NabhanStephen Schneider (1st edition, with Sue

Evans) Michael Egan: John James Audubon,Danny Seo (1st edition) Marston Bates, Peter Berg, J. Baird Callicott,Philip Shabecoff (1st edition) William Colby, William Cronon, Bill Devall,Andrew L. Shapiro (Leslie Benson) William O. Douglas, Newton Drury, AlanChris Shuey Durning, Albert Gore, Jr., Stephen Jay Gould,David Sive (1st edition) Asa Gray, Alice Hamilton, Samuel P. Hays,Rocky Smith Chris and Martin Kratt, Edmund Meany, OlausGary Snyder (1st edition) and Margaret Murie, John D. Rockefeller, Jr.,Susan Solomon (Jim Roberts) Holmes Rolston, III, Richard Evans Schultes,Michael Soule George Sessions, Michael Soule, Morris Udall,Tracy Stone-Manning Stewart Udall, Walt Whitman, Donald WorsterWilma Subra Joan Erben: Samuel LaBudde, DonellaSusanka, Sarah (Katie Kiefer) MeadowsChet Tchozewski

Erica Ferg: Karen Silkwood, Carol BrownerOakleigh Thorne (with Stephanie Muirhead)Brian Tokar T. L. Freeman-Toole: Fred Krupp, WesWill Toor Jackson, Owen Lammers, WilliamMartin Walter McDonough, Roderick Nash, Sigurd OlsonBarbara Warburton (1st edition, Marıa Alma Harah Frost: Hazel Johnson

Solıs and Larry Lof)Jennifer Heath: Dolores Huerta, BillAdam Werbach (1st edition, Kelly Braucht)McKibben, Lewis MumfordKent and Diane Whealy (1st edition)Sarah W. Heim-Jonson: John HamiltonGilbert White (1st edition)Adams, Richard Ayres, Michael Bean, BarbaraLouisa WillcoxBramble, William DutcherChris Wille (with Gretchen Ruethling)

Howie Wolke Cassandra Kircher: Frederick JacksonDonald Worster TurnerHoward Zahniser (1st edition, with Ed

Meghan McCarthy: Rodger Schlickeisen,Zahniser)Luther Standing Bear, Peter WarshallDavid Zwick (Jon Scott)Kyle McClure: Ansel Adams, Henry Adams,Cecil Andrus, Mary Austin, Bruce Babbit,CONTRIBUTORSPeter Berle, Albert Bierstadt, Lester Brown,

Many of the entries in this book were writtenJohn Burroughs, Lynton Caldwell, Jimmy

by contributors. Following are the names ofCarter, John Chafee, Marion Clawson,

the contributors with the entries they wrote.Thomas Cole, Douglas Costle, Herman Daly,

Entries that are unlisted were written byJeff DeBonis, Christina Desser, Bernard

Anne Becher or Joe Richey. Entries includedDevoto, John Dingell, Richard Grossman,

in the First Edition were updated by AnneJuana Gutierrez, Jay Hair, Paul Hawken,

Becher for the Second Edition.Hazel Henderson, Edward Hoagland, MichaelMcCloskey, Ian McHarg, John McPhee,First Edition Contributors Stephanie Mills, Edmund Muskie, Helen and

Cain Allen: Chief Sealth (Seattle), William Scott Nearing, Marc Reisner, TheodoreSteel, Chief Tommy Thompson Roszak, John Sawhill, Stephen Schneider,

xvii

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

JoAnn Tall, Wallace Stegner, Ted Turner, Norton, Francis Parkman, William K. Reilly,Howie Wolke Rosemary Radford Reuther, Bill Sanjour, Carl

Schurz, Irving Selikoff, Paolo Soleri,Bob Macfarland: Ernest Seton Thompson,Christopher Stone, Brian Tokar, Will Toor,Oakleigh Thorne, Gilbert WhiteWilliam Vogt, Lynn White, Jr.

Susan Muldowney: Debra Harry, LauraHilary Wood: Diane Ackerman, Archie CarrPulidoJosh Zaffos: Reed NossKatherine Noble-Goodman: Eugene Odum,

David Sive *Brian Russell: Dorothy Harvey

Second Edition ContributorsRachel White Scheuering: John QuincyAdams, Jane Addams, Peter Bahouth, William Kate Sloan Fiffer: Janine Benyus, JanineBeebe, Stewart Brand, Michael Brown, Tom Blaeloch, Louise B. DunlapCade, Archie Carr, Marjorie Carr, Harry

Rosemary Gabriel: Rosalie BertellCaudill, James Fenimore Cooper, Mark

Rodrigo Gonzalez: Derrick Jensen, ArtDowie, Silvia Earle, David Ehrenfeld,RosenfeldBuckminster Fuller, Theodore Geisel, RossVince Leibowitz: Michael Bloomberg, LauraGelbspan, Joan Gussow, Julia Butterfly Hill,MillerHelen Ingram, Stephen Kellert, Francis Moore

Lappe, Anne Morrow and Charles Lindbergh, Emily Marturana: Robin Chase, ElizabethRichard Manning, Carolyn Merchant, Carlos Christy, Stuart Conway, Michael F. Jacobson,Nagel, Margaret Owings, Steve Packard, Cynthia Moss, Nell NewmanRoger Tory Peterson, Russell Peterson,

Jim McVey: Gary Peacock, Paul WatsonDeborah and Frank Popper, Peter Raven,

Jesse Morse: Julian Darley and Celine Rich,Jeremy Rifkin, John Robbins, Robert Rodale,Willie Nelson, Greg NickelsCarl Safina, Cathrine Sneed, SandraLaura Paskus: Ben Luce, Diane WilsonSteingraber, Terry Tempest Williams, Diane

and Kent Whealy, Louisa Willcox, Paul Annette Ramos: Florence Bailey, RichardWinter, Hazel Wolf, George Woodwell Cook, Leonardo DiCaprio, Juliet Ellis, Charles

Elton, Rogelio Figueroa, James Hansen,Noelle Sullivan: George Mitchell, LauranceMichael Mann, Jerome Ringo, AndrewRockefeller, Kirkpatrick Sale, PhilipShapiro, Arnold Schwarzenegger, TerryShabecoff, Enos Mills, Sandra PostelTamminen, Mike Tidwell, Doug Tompkins

Horace Voice: Henry David ThoreauSue Salinger: Kenny Ausubel, Joan Bavaria,

Deena Wade: Ed Begley, Jr., WoodyLaurie David, Van JonesHarrelson, Carl SaganPaul Wapner (with Diedre Zoll): Michael

Jeff Wagenheim: Vicky RobinPollan

Ray Watt: Christopher Shuey, HenryJohn Weiss: Richard CizikWaxmanShawna Williams: Thomas Berry, Kevin

Julia Willis: Catherine Baeur, Mollie Beattie,Bixby, Marjora Carter, Andrew JacksonEula Bingham, Janet Brown, Aurora Castillo,Downing, Woody Gagliano, Henry Gleason,Kate and Tom Chappell, John B. Cobb, Jr..Mary Oliver, Cynthia Pryor, Anne Rolfes,Henry Cowles, Dian Fossey, Henry Jackson,Michael Reynolds, Arturo Sandoval, TracyLady Bird Johnson, Jim Jontz, Hugh Kaufman,Stone-ManningHenry Kendall, Oren Lyons, Mary McDowell,Diedre Zoll: Henry Red CloudMarion Moses, Herbert Needleman, Bryan

xviii

Introduction

This second edition of American Environ- of well-known shakers and movers, as wellmental Leaders: From Colonial Times to the as less visible heroes. In addition, all arti-Present is the first published by Grey House cles from the first edition have been re-Publishing. The previous edition was pub- vised as needed. This new edition offers alished by ABC-CLIO in 2000. This 2-volume total of 390 biographies, many with newsecond edition is significantly revised and ex- images, that address the most pressing top-panded with new material and added fea- ics of environmental concern.tures: � NEW Contributors—this edition adds 14� NEW Key Documents—a 100-page sec- names to the list of contributors to the first

tion includes 23 articles, book excerpts and edition, creating a group of 41 of the stron-speeches by the foremost authorities in the gest, most experienced authorities on thefield. It comprises an incredibly expansive environment in the country today.perspective—nine centuries—including ex- � NEW Timeline –detailing important firstscerpts from the 13th century Constitution in areas vital to the environment—and itsof the Iroquois Nation to the 2008 title Glo- protection—such as accomplishments ofbal Warming: Twenty Years Later by various social movements, significant legis-James Hansen. The detailed introduction to lation, and technological advances.these Key Documents on page 901 offers � Updated Leaders by Occupation or

insight into the criteria for inclusion and Work Focus—lists all covered individualsthe actions these documents have prompt- under one—or more—category, from Ac-

ed. tivists to Whistleblowers. There are 27 oc-� NEW and Updated Entries—64 brand cupations in all, comprising a varied, some-

new essays, primarily focusing on recent time unlikely, list including Advertising

environmental developments, from science Executive, Cartoonist and Theologian.

to policy making to the arts. This second � Updated Index

edition, like the first, includes biographies

xix

American Environmental Leaders

Volume I

ABBEY, EDWARD

Abbey, Edward(January 29, 1927–March 14, 1989)Writer

Edward Abbey, wild man of the Amer- ment in Utah. Many critics call this book his

best. It is a medley of crystalline nature writ-ican West and the author of 22 books,ing and enraged rants against the incursion ofdefies literary definitions. He iscivilization into the pristine Southwest des-known for his exquisite descriptions of his be-erts. The author’s note in Desert Solitaireloved Southwestern desert, for his bitter dia-warns the reader:tribes against those who defile such pristine

areas (ranchers, loggers, even dumb tourists), Do not jump into your automobile next Juneand for the unruly characters—some autobio- and rush out to the canyon country hoping tographical—who people his novels. see some of that which I have attempted to

Edward Paul Abbey was born on January evoke in these pages. In the first place you can’t29, 1927, in Home, Pennsylvania, a rural Alle- see anything from a car; you’ve got to get out

of the goddamned contraption and walk, bettergheny community. His mother, Mildred, wasyet crawl, on hands and knees, over the sand-an activist for the Woman’s Christian Temper-stone and through the thornbush and cactus.ance Union, and his father, Paul Revere Ab-When traces of blood begin to mark your trailbey, was a Socialist union organizer whoyou’ll see something, maybe. Probably not.earned his livelihood cutting hickory fence

posts. As a child Abbey wrote comic books, The direct action arm of the environmentaland he became a journalist while in high movement remembers Abbey best for The

school (though he flunked his journalism Monkey Wrench Gang (1975), an account ofclass). During the summer of his seventeenth the exploits of a group of iconoclasts whoyear, Abbey hitchhiked and rode buses and specialized in what was later termed monkey-

trains on an exploratory tour of the West. He wrenching, the deliberate damaging of equip-fell in love with the deserts and canyons. And ment used to destroy nature. The Monkeyat the age of 19, after one year in the Army Wrench Gang practiced by pouring sugar andand another at Indiana State Teachers Col- dirt into the gas tanks of bulldozers and trac-lege, Abbey moved west, where he was to tors at desert construction projects, but theirstay except for a few brief periods of his life. ultimate goal was to blow up the Glen CanyonAbbey studied philosophy and English at the Dam. True to Abbey’s master’s thesis conclu-University of New Mexico, earning his B.A. in sions, the Monkey Wrench Gang’s violence1951 and his M.A. in 1956. His master’s degree was undertaken in self-defense, for the gangthesis, entitled “Anarchism and the Morality identified so closely with the desert that theof Violence,” examined political situations in development was an attack on their very be-which violence could be justified. His conclu- ings. This book inspired DAVE FOREMAN,sion was that it was most justifiable when HOWIE WOLKE, and three other friends toused in self-defense. found Earth First! in 1979. Their first public

While working at varied jobs after complet- action was at a Glen Canyon Dam protest dur-ing his M.A., including inspecting roads for ing which Abbey spoke. From that time on,the U.S. Forest Service and being a ranger for Abbey served as an elder adviser and shamanthe National Park Service, Abbey wrote sever- to the group.al novels. His first widely acclaimed work was During his lifetime, Abbey wrote 22 books.Desert Solitaire (1968), a compilation of his The literary establishment pegged him as ajournals from the time he was working as a Western environmentalist writer. Abbey him-seasonal ranger in Arches National Monu- self said in an interview published in Resist

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ABBEY, EDWARD

Much, Obey Little (1996) that he was content had a terminal circulatory disorder. His deathand burial have achieved the same mythologi-to remain in that pigeonhole because it as-cal status that was given his life while he wassured him easy access to publishers andalive. Two days before he died, he asked hisearned him a comfortable living. However en-friends to take him out of the hospital, intovironmentalists who wanted to see him as athe desert where he enjoyed one last campfirespokesman for their causes were often dis-circle. He died in a sleeping bag on the floorturbed by some of his assertions. He spoutedof his writing cabin, and his friends followedbrash, disturbing opinions in some of histhe instructions he had left them to drive hisbooks. He insulted literary critics who did notbody as far as possible into the desert andlike his work; called on the U.S. Border Patrolbury him under a pile of rocks.to turn back all Mexican immigrants, hand

them guns, and tell them to finish their revo-lution; and criticized mainstream environmen- BIBLIOGRAPHYtalist organizations for their compromises. Abbey, Edward and David Petersen, Postcards

Abbey’s friends and fans admired his dedi- from Ed: dispatches and salvos from an

cation to the truth—about the world and his American iconoclast, 2006; Bishop, James Jr.,Epitaph for a Desert Anarchist, 1994; Cahahan,own life—even if his words were sometimesJames M., Edward Abbey: a life, 2001;difficult to digest or undiplomatic. Abbey wasHepworth, James R., and Gregory McNamee,continually outraged, wrote WENDELL BERRYResist Much, Obey Little: Remembering Edin his contribution to Resist Much, Obey Lit-Abbey, 1996; Hoagland, Edward, “Edward

tle, but Abbey’s humor made his outrage tol- Abbey: Standing Tough in the Desert,” Newerable to his readers. During his life Abbey York Times Book Review, 1989; Loeffler, Jack,married five times and fathered six children. Adventures with Ed: a portrait of Abbey, 2002;

Abbey died of internal bleeding on March Petersen, David, “Where Phantoms Brood and19, 1989, shortly after being informed that he Mourn,” Backpacker, 1993.

Ackerman, Diane(October 7, 1948– )Poet, Nature Writer

Writer Diane Ackerman is best known Diane Ackerman was born in Waukegan, Il-

linois, on October 7, 1948. Eight years later,for her ability to combine the seem-her family moved to the more rural locationingly disparate disciplines of art andof Allentown, Pennsylvania. The change suit-science. Her writing, which includes poetry,ed the young writer, who remembers herselfnonfiction, stories for children, and plays, isas an outgoing tomboy who spent most of herunique in its ambition to use creative expres-time outside. When she was indoors, Acker-sion as she explores and describes the naturalman spent her time reading and writing, theworld. In 1990, Ackerman’s book, A Natural

latter becoming a major passion that resultedHistory of the Senses, became a national best-in limericks, stories, and articles for the localseller and inspired a miniseries that aired asnewspaper. After spending her freshman yearpart of public television’s Nova in 1995.at Boston University, Ackerman transferred

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ACKERMAN, DIANE

to Pennsylvania State University in 1968. It Ackerman’s approach shows that the two canbe combined gracefully.was there that she met British novelist Paul

In 1988, Ackerman published ReverseWest, a professor who later became her lifeThunder: A Dramatic Poem, detailing the lifecompanion.and times of Sor Juana de la Cruz, a nun whoAckerman graduated in 1970 with a B.A. de-lived in seventeenth-century Spain. A playgree in English. During the same year she be-written in verse, Reverse Thunder is a tributegan studying for her M.F.A. at Cornell Univer-to a woman Ackerman deeply admires. De-sity in Ithaca, New York. Eight years later,spite the restrictions of the times, Sor JuanaAckerman had not only completed her intend-was both a poet and a scientist, a woman whoed degree but had also earned an M.A. and ashared Ackerman’s awe at the complexities ofPh.D. in English literature. During this periodcreation. Her meditations reveal a creativeshe won two prestigious awards, the Acade-mind unafraid to combine religion with sci-my of American Poets Prize and the Corsonence or poetry with data, an unpopular con-Bishop Prize for Poetry and published hercept in her day.first book of poetry, The Planets: A Cosmic

Ackerman’s most popular book, A NaturalPastoral, in 1976. Even at this early point inHistory of the Senses, became a bestsellerher career, Ackerman showed signs of her fu-shortly after its publication in 1990. A celebra-ture ambition to bring science and poetiction of the five senses, the book uses essays,writing into the same medium. The Planets,vignettes, and observations to investigate thewritten entirely about astronomy, introducedways in which humans perceive the naturalreaders to the author’s unusual articulation ofworld. The sweeping success of Senses was a

the natural world, a perception that did notsurprise, as very few scientifically based

distinguish hard data from passionate obser-works become bestsellers. No doubt the suc-

vation. This unique blend of disciplines was to cess of the book can be attributed to Acker-be Ackerman’s trademark, a result of what man’s skill as a writer and her ability to mixshe terms her “nomadic curiosity.” potentially dry material with humor, myth,

Ackerman’s fascination with the universe is and poetic description. In February 1995, thereflected in the diversity of subjects she in- television series Nova invited Ackerman tovestigates in her writing. In 1980, Twilight of host a five-part miniseries entitled “Mystery ofthe Tenderfoot, a book detailing her experi- the Senses,” which received some of the high-ences as a ranch hand in New Mexico, was est ratings of the season. Senses is Acker-published to wide acclaim. After earning her man’s crowning achievement to date, a workpilot’s license, she wrote On Extended Wings that introduced countless readers to her(1985), a book exploring the implications of unique genius.learning to fly, which was later adapted to the In 1991, Ackerman returned to poetry withstage. During this time, Ackerman continued Jaguar of Sweet Laughter: New and Selectedto write poetry. Lady Faustus, a collection of Poems, which was nominated for the Nationalpoems published in 1983, covered such di- Book Critics Circle Award. Another publica-verse subjects as soccer, flying, and medita- tion, The Moon by Whale Light: And Othertions on amphibians. Despite the wide spec- Adventures among Bats, Penguins, Crocodi-

trum of subject matter, Ackerman’s work re- lians, and Whales, expanded upon a series ofmains infused with a central theme. Whether articles that had been previously published inbranding cattle or staring at the stars, there is the New Yorker. In 1994, Ackerman’s A Natu-

always a fascination and a deep enthusiasm ral History of Love, which was modeled uponfor the natural world. Though this point of her earlier book, received mixed reviewsview received criticism from those who be- from critics who believed that the subject oflieved that poetry must be free of science, love, unlike that of our senses, was broader

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ACKERMAN, DIANE

than could be covered in a single volume. De- Nazi occupation of Poland, rescued and har-spite these hesitations, Love was widely en- bored more than 300 Jews. Another focus ofjoyed by the public, many of whom savored The Zookeeper’s Wife is a forest in Polandthe beauty of Ackerman’s prose in its investi- called Bialowieza, home to free-ranging “liv-gation of the many different concepts of love. ing fossils,” descendents of ancient bison and

Ackerman’s 1995 The Rarest of the Rare: horses.Vanishing Animals, Timeless Worlds re- Diane Ackerman resides in upstate Newsulted from a series of pilgrimages to the York..She has received many awards for herworld’s rarest ecosystems, during which she writing, including the Black Warrior Reviewpaid homage to rare and unusual species. The Poetry Prize in 1981, the Pushcart Prize VIII inbook contains chapters on the monk seal, the 1984, the Lowell Thomas Award from the So-short-tailed albatross, the golden lion tamarin, ciety of American Travel Writers in 1990, inand other endangered species. Ackerman 1992 the Wordsmith Award, and the New andmixes descriptions of habitats and animals Noteworthy Book of the Year for The Moonwith biographical data about her human com- by Whale Light from the New York Timespanions, biologists who study and strive to Book Review, in 1998 a John Burroughs Na-protect their chosen species. ture Award, and most recently, in 2003, a Gug-

Ackerman’s latest non-fiction books in- genheim Fellowship.clude Deep Play (1999), which examines thestate of mind one enters when focused pas-sionately and entirely on something one BIBLIOGRAPHYloves; Cultivating Delight (2001). 52 essays Brainard, Dulay, “Diane Ackerman,” Publisher’sthat range from the sensory pleasures of a

Weekly, 1991; “Diane Ackerman,” www.garden to detailed botanic and zoological de- dianeackerman.com; Dowd, Maureen, “Dianescription; and The Zookeeper’s Wife (2007), Ackerman,” Vogue, 1991; Elder, John, ed.,which tells the story of Antonina Zabinski, the American Nature Writers Volume 1, 1996; Shel-wife of the keeper of the Warsaw Zoo, who af- ton, Pamela, ed., Contemporary Woman Poets,

ter her husband’s zoo was pillaged during the 1998.

Adams, Ansel(February 20, 1902–April 22, 1984)Photographer, Preservation Activist

Ansel Adams was a photographer and a Bray Adams. His father was a businessmanpreservationist. His pictures played whose enterprises included an insurancean important role in defining how agency and a chemical plant. Adams grew up

Americans think about wilderness, and they among the sand dunes on the westernmosthave been vital in supporting its preservation. edge of the San Francisco Peninsula, whereAdams served on the board of directors of the from his early childhood he was surroundedSierra Club for nearly 40 years. by natural beauty. His education was erratic

Ansel Easton Adams was born on February and largely self-acquired. He attended both20, 1902, in San Francisco, California, the only public and private schools, and he also re-child of Charles Hitchcock Adams and Olive

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ADAMS, ANSEL

ceived some instruction at home from his fa- Adams is best known for his black andther. white photographs of nature and the Ameri-

A significant event in Adams’s early life can landscape. He pioneered the Zone Sys-was a vacation his family took to Yosemite tem, a technique designed to enable the pho-National Park in 1916, when he was 14 years tographer to anticipate and control the tonalold. He brought along a Kodak Box Brownie range of the print. He believed that a photo-camera that he used to take his first photo- graph is made, not taken. And in his photo-graphs. As a result of this experience, Adams graphs he sought to capture the spiritual ex-persuaded Frank Ditmman, the owner of a citement he felt about the subject.San Francisco photo finishing plant, to take Adams once said that “everybody needshim on as an apprentice in developing and something to believe in. Conservation is myother techniques in the darkroom. While point of focus.” His involvement with conser-Adams’s enthusiasm for photography was vation dates back to his first photographs. Hegrowing, music, at this time, was his main joined the Sierra Club in 1919, and he workedconcern. He was receiving four hours of in- for four summers as caretaker of the club’sstruction every day from Fredrich Zech, who headquarters in Yosemite Valley. He later sathad studied under Hans von Bulow, one of on the board of directors of the club for near-the great German pianists and conductors of ly 40 years, strongly influencing the club’s phi-the nineteenth century. By the time he was 18, losophy and activities and encouraging activ-Adams was convinced that he would be a pro- ism and a national focus, in what until thenfessional pianist. It was not until 1930 that he had been primarily a California-based organi-decided to abandon his music studies and de- zation. In 1936, when the Sierra Club was lob-vote all of his time to photography. The study bying for the creation of a national park in theof technique and the attention to detail he ac- King’s Canyon area of California, Adams sentquired in his musical training, however, never copies of his book, Sierra Nevada: The John

left him. In a 1977 interview he stated that Muir Trail, which contains many pictures ofthere is a very definite relationship between this area, to Pres. FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT andmusic and photography, all art being “essen- to other important political figures. He alsotially the same thing,” and that he really bene- made a trip to Washington to personally advo-fited from two factors, a sense of discipline cate the designation of this national park.and a sense of aesthetics. Adams was also active in protesting the

It was in 1930, two years after he had mar- widening of Yosemite’s Tioga road as a part ofried Virginia Best, that Adams met Paul the National Park Service’s Mission 66 inStrand, a photographer whom Adams credited 1952. He even went so far as to resign fromwith opening his eyes to the artistic possibili- the board of directors because of the Sierraties of the stark, crisp photographic image. Club’s unwillingness to take a stance on theMost photographers of the time were practic- issue. As a private citizen, he denounced theing hand-tinted, soft-focus photography, plan as a violation of the National Park Ser-creating images more like paintings than pho- vice Act, bordering on criminal negligence.tographs. Adams helped to found a group The Sierra Club board was not willing to ac-called f/64 (the name f/64 being a reference to cept his resignation, and its members per-the small lens opening of the camera) in op- suaded him to return, stating that his “puristposition to the general photographic practices voice was needed to keep the club true to itsof the time. The members of this group ideals.” Throughout his time on the board ofsought, through “straight photography,” to directors, Adams wielded a powerful voicecreate images with sharp focus, and great for cooperation and compromise. This woulddepth of field, to “create photographs which eventually estrange him somewhat, as youn-actually looked like photographs.” ger members of the Sierra Club moved

7