March 12, 2026
Horned Grebe at the Celery Farm
My first ever here. And the spring arrivals are arriving! The grebe was No. 186 on my Celery Farm life…
Nature Done Wright
Incorporating the Celery Farm and Screech Owl Companion blogs
March 12, 2010
Remembering a Great Man
I tend not to go too far afield or post items about things that I
am not directly involved with, but I read The New York Times obituary
of someone I had never heard of — Edgar Wayburn, a doctor who died at
the age of 103.
He led an extraordinary life, and made an incalculable impact on our world.
He was a great environmentalist who protected more than 1 million acres
of wilderness in the United States, Yes, you read that correctly. The link to the obituary is here. See if you agree with my assessment.
2 comments
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Thank you so much for pointing out this unsung hero of America. There is so much good in our wonderful country. The friends of a small patch of our world called the Celery Farm are some wonderful people, as well.
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Jim,
Thanks for the post. Outside of the Sierra Club not too many folks have heard of Edgar Wayburn. One of the reasons is that he was not “self promoting.” (Yes, he did publish a book in 2004, “Your Land and Mine: Evolution of a Conservationist.”) He was a humble man, going about his conservation work quietly, always available to help others do the same. I had the honor of meeting Dr. Wayburn in 2000, at a national Sierra Club awards ceremony in San Francisco. He came over to shake my hand, encourage and congratulate me (!!) for my national award. I’ll never forget him, over 90 years of age, a twinkle in his eye, and his enthusiasm as he offered me praise. Countless generations will benefit from his legacy, his life’s work. Edgar Wayburn was truly the John Muir of the 20th Century.
Dennis Schvejda
(former Chapter Sierra Club Conservation Director NJ)
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2 comments
sally teschon
Thank you so much for pointing out this unsung hero of America. There is so much good in our wonderful country. The friends of a small patch of our world called the Celery Farm are some wonderful people, as well.
DSchvejda
Jim,
Thanks for the post. Outside of the Sierra Club not too many folks have heard of Edgar Wayburn. One of the reasons is that he was not “self promoting.” (Yes, he did publish a book in 2004, “Your Land and Mine: Evolution of a Conservationist.”) He was a humble man, going about his conservation work quietly, always available to help others do the same. I had the honor of meeting Dr. Wayburn in 2000, at a national Sierra Club awards ceremony in San Francisco. He came over to shake my hand, encourage and congratulate me (!!) for my national award. I’ll never forget him, over 90 years of age, a twinkle in his eye, and his enthusiasm as he offered me praise. Countless generations will benefit from his legacy, his life’s work. Edgar Wayburn was truly the John Muir of the 20th Century.
Dennis Schvejda
(former Chapter Sierra Club Conservation Director NJ)