About The Nature Conservancy - Richard H. "Dick" Goodwin: 1911-2007

Richard H. ("Dick") Goodwin, president of The Nature Conservancy from 1956-58 and 1964-66

"Dick Goodwin's visionary leadership in land conservation established the foundations for not only the Conservancy, but the modern conservation movement."

— Steven J. McCormick, president and CEO of The Nature Conservancy

Richard H. ("Dick") Goodwin, who initiated The Nature Conservancy's transformation from a small group of volunteers to a nationally prominent conservation organization, died July 6 at age 96.

He was the Conservancy's last unpaid president as well as its chief champion during the organization’s first two decades. Under his leadership, the Conservancy developed and adopted innovative business models and tactics for conservation — including conservation easements — that revolutionized the practice of preserving open spaces.

"It is true that the actions of a few can change the world for many, and it could not be more true than when speaking of Dick Goodwin," said Steven J. McCormick, president and CEO of the Conservancy.

"His visionary leadership in land conservation established the foundations for not only the Conservancy, but the modern conservation movement," added McCormick. "May the Conservancy continue to serve as a living legacy to his passion."

'Founder' of the Conservancy of Today

Already a pioneer in U.S. private land conservation efforts by the mid-1940s, Goodwin served as president of the Conservancy from 1956-58 and again from 1964-66 — both times without pay.

During these terms, he guided two often-contentious restructurings of the Conservancy that set the stage for important new phases of organizational growth, according to Bill Birchard's book Nature's Keepers.

When Goodwin was elected president of the Conservancy in August 1956, it had just 2,500 members, one full-time employee and a budget of $15,000. But by 1964, the Conservancy had 125 projects, 11 employees and assets of $1.3 million — plus $2 million in land and $100,000 in endowments.

Goodwin also secured a Ford Foundation grant in 1965 that enabled the Conservancy to hire its first paid president — a crucial step in extending the organization's capacity and influence.

"Dick deserves the title of 'founder' of the Conservancy of today," said Brad Northrup, senior advisor for the Conservancy's Conservation Strategies Division. "In the 1960's, he built the organizational foundation for our transition from an all-volunteer to a professional staff organization through his persistence, vision and considerable political skill on the Conservancy's board of trustees."

"He also pushed for establishing a strong scientific capability on the staff, and he was an early advocate of global work and backed it up with financial support," added Northrup. "Through his incredibly long tenure on our national and Connecticut boards, the Conservancy has been the beneficiary of a continuity of committed engagement unparalleled in our history."

Goodwin also pioneered the Conservancy’s entry into innovative land conservation. In 1960, Goodwin negotiated the then-largest land deal in the organization's history — protecting 3,000 forested acres on the California coast.

"Although he was a scientist, he also understood the ephemeral nature of land ownership and the critical importance of getting land protected, either through easements or fee acquisitions," said Michael Dennis, the Conservancy’s director of conservation real estate.

His Connecticut Roots

Co-founder of The Nature Conservancy in Connecticut, Goodwin was also an energetic advocate for conservation efforts in that state. He and his wife Esther donated land — and persuaded neighbors to do the same — to establish Connecticut's Burnham Brook Preserve, a 1,200-acre preserve used mainly for scientific research.

Goodwin also served as professor of botany and chair of the botany department at Connecticut College from 1944-76. In 1969, he helped the college create one of the nation's first environmental studies programs. He also oversaw the expansion of the college's arboretum from 90 acres to 400 acres.

Goodwin studied botany and zoology at Harvard University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in biology in 1933 and 1934, respectively. He went on to earn his doctorate degree in biology with a concentration in botany, also from Harvard, in 1937. At Connecticut College, Goodwin researched the physiology of root growth, the florescent compounds in plants and the effects of light on plant growth.

Goodwin is survived by the former Esther Bemis, his wife of 71 years, his daughter Mary Linder Wetzel, and his son Richard H. Goodwin, Jr. He had four grandchildren and two great grandchildren.