Merriam was a visionary 19th century palaeontologist who played a key role in the creation of state and national parks in California. This is a biography of Merriam, and a history of his conservation achievements, still an inspiration to conservationists today.
From the publisher's announcement:
From his efforts to protect California's wild lands--including the state's majestic redwoods and its dynamic coastline--to his novel ideas about the educational and inspirational value of wilderness that continue to provoke debates to this day, this first biography of John C. Merriam (1869-1945) tells the story of the prominent paleontologist who became a visionary in the American conservation movement.
"Steven Mark is to be congratulated for capturing the essence of Merriam and that original America, the one that in giving rise to conservation believed in parks as the nation's soul."--Alfred Runte, author of National Parks "Merriam's role in the evolution of early 20th Century American conservation thinking is not as well understood as it should be."--Keir B. Sterling, Senior Editor of the Biographical Dictionary
"We need to hear and heed John C. Merriam's voice, calling for education, inspiration, and spiritual contact to be paramount in the administration of our natural preserves."--Michael Frome, author of Battle for the Wilderness
Stephen R. Mark is a historian with the National Park Service as well as Adjunct Professor of History at the Oregon Institute of Technology. He is the author of Floating in the Stream of Time: An Administrative History of John Day Fossil Beds National Monument (1996).
Introduction: Beyond Scenic Voyeurism 1. Why Save the Redwoods? 2. To Berkeley and Beyond 3. Paleontologist of the Far West 4. An Upward Trajectory 5. Redwoods and Research 6. Interpreting the National Parks 7. A Voice for Wilderness 8. Building State Parks 9. What Nature Means Notes Further Reading Index
Stephen R. Mark is a historian with the National Park Service as well as Adjunct Professor of History at the Oregon Institute of Technology. He is the author of Floating in the Stream of Time: An Administrative History of John Day Fossil Beds National Monument (1996).
Steven Mark is to be congratulated for capturing the essence of Merriam and that original America, the one that in giving rise to conservation believed in parks as the nation's soul. - Alfred Runte, author of National Parks "We need to hear and heed John C. Merriam's voice, calling for education, inspiration, and spiritual contact to be paramount in the administration of our natural preserves." - Michael Frome, author of Battle for the Wilderness"