Sunday, 18 September 2016, one of the giants of American conservation – John Craighead – passed away in his sleep in Missoula; he had turned 100 back on 14 August.
His admirers and accomplishments are many, though I suspect most of us who keep an eye and an ear on the world of rivers and wilderness don’t fully appreciate the depth and breadth of this centenarian’s life.
Like some of you I grew up watching his exploits in National Geographic and Walt Disney specials, along with his brother Frank, as they worked and recreated in Jackson Hole and the Greater Yellowstone region.
And while many reflexly associate the Craighead name with grizzly research, the brothers were instrumental in organizing the efforts for the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (1968), in fact writing much of the text of the act themselves.
For these efforts, we’ll be forever grateful.
There are a number of tributes popping up – here’s a decent one from the Missoulian yesterday, and many more will no doubt follow.
Image panel from an article about the Craigheads archived at The Montanan.
