Indiana Conservation Hall of Fame 2009
Congratulations to the Hall of Fame's inaugural class!
September 25, 2009 the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation announced the inaugural class for the Indiana Conservation Hall of Fame, a group that includes a U.S. president, Indiana's first state forester, a noted author, the recognized father of the Indiana state park system, and a number of scholars, philanthropists and environmentalists.
"These inspired and passionate people worked to conserve our wild and historic places," said Bourke Patton, executive director of NRF. "We are excited to honor their contributions in a way that will inspire us all to work harder to protect our irreplaceable treasures."
The inaugural class includes:
Leila (Lee) Botts, a key player in passage of the Federal Clean Water Act and the planner and founder of the Indiana Dunes Environmental Center, Botts was instrumental in the creation of Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and has spent her life working for conservation and environmental education.
Lynton Caldwell (1913-2006), an Indiana University professor who is considered the “Father of the Environmental Impact Statement as he was one of the principal architects of the National Environmental Policy Act and an advisor on environmental matters to the U.S. Senate and the United Nations.
Reynold (Rey) Carlson (1901-1997), former chair of the Indiana University Department of Recreation and Parks Administration, he developed Bradford Woods outdoor recreation education curriculum and is considered the “Father of the Association for Interpretive Naturalists.”
Bill and Gayle Cook, industrialists and philanthropists, who played major roles in the restoration of West Baden Springs and French Lick Springs hotels and are reforesting 2,500 acres in southern Indiana.
Charles C. Deam (1865-1953), Indiana’s first State Forester, whose interest in botany resulted in a collection of 63,000 plant specimens from across the state and the discovery of 25 new species.
Tom (1923-2004) and Jane (1929-2003) Dustin, founders of ACRES, Indiana’s first private land trust, and advocates for the Clean Water Act and federal wilderness protection.
The Efroymson Family, an Indianapolis family who over four generations provided leadership and philanthropic support for natural and historic conservation efforts.
President Benjamin Harrison (1833-1901), who while in office used the General Public Lands Reform Act of 1891 to establish 17 national forest reserves totaling 13 million acres and lay the foundation for today’s national forest system and dedicated our 2nd, 3rd and 4th National Parks.
Marion Jackson, a distinguished author, naturalist, conservationist and professor emeritus of ecology at Indiana State University who’s work The Natural Heritage of Indiana not only details Indiana’s natural places but records the negative impact of mankind.
Richard Lieber (1869-1944), whose visionary leadership established Indiana’s state park system in 1916 as a model for the rest of the United States. Lieber also was the first director of the Department of Conservation, predecessor to the Department of Natural Resources. Over his tenure, 10 new state parks were established.
Eli Lilly (1885-1977), who founded and endowed the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana which led to the establishment of Angel Mounds State Historic Site and Conner Prairie and a key contributor to Lilly Endowment which continues to support central Indiana’s communities.
Sally Reahard (1908-2003), an Indianapolis philanthropist who single-handedly preserved thousands of acres across Indiana and along the East Coast through her donations to The Nature Conservancy. Reahard also worked diligently to preserve historic structures in Charleston including the Missroon House and Drayton Hall.
Father Damian Schmelz, an educator, scientist and theologian who assisted Alton Lindsey of Purdue University in completing an inventory of Indiana’s natural areas and later served more than 30 years on the Indiana Natural Resources Commission.
Gene Stratton-Porter (1863-1924), a prolific author who drew on experiences growing up near Limberlost Swamp and Wildflower Woods in northeast Indiana to write 12 novels and seven nature books including Girl of the Limberlost and Freckles.
J. Maurice Thompson (1844-1901), author of the seminal book on archery, The Witchery of Archery, and co-founder of the National Archery Association, the governing body of Olympic-style archery in the United States.