Statement of Steve McCormick, President of The Nature Conservancy, on the Passing of Senator Gaylord Nelson
Arlington, Virginia—July 5, 2005—“While Senator Gaylord Nelson may be best remembered as the father of Earth Day, his conservation legacy extends well beyond the annual event that he launched 35 years ago.
Senator Nelson dedicated his entire life to the environmental cause and we are all the better because of it.
He was the first person to introduce in Congress legislation mandating fuel efficiency standards, banning the use of the pesticide DDT, and banning the use of Agent Orange. He authored legislation to preserve the Appalachian Trail corridor and to create a national hiking trails system. He also helped shepherd through Congress landmark bills such as the Wilderness Act and the Clean Air Act.
Former Senator Gaylord Nelson with daughter Tia Nelson
© Cade Martin
Senator Nelson inserted conservation into the national conscience and was personally responsible for many of the environmental safeguards we as a nation enjoy today. He showed us that each one of us can make a difference.
He spent his life working to ensure that our children, grandchildren and beyond would have clean water, air and lands. He will be sorely missed.”
For More Information about Gaylord Nelson and Earth Day:
- The Nature of: Tia Nelson: Director, Climate Change Initiative
The leader of The Nature Conservancy’s fight against global warming is relying on lush forests, clean energy — and getting Congress to do the right thing.
- Book: Beyond Earth Day: Fulfilling the Promise by Gaylord Nelson
Many Americans are too young to remember that the first Earth Day was an event of real political significance, an instance of public opinion being heard and heeded. Former Senator Gaylord Nelson, progenitor of Earth Day in 1970, hasn't forgotten.
- Earth Day 2006
Earth Day, which began in 1970, is now celebrated by millions of people worldwide. Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson, then a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, proposed the first nationwide environmental protest “to shake up the political establishment and force this issue onto the national agenda.”
- Statement: Earth Day Network
With deepest sorrow, Earth Day Network announces the death of Senator Gaylord Nelson, Founding Chairman of Earth Day Network. A world renowned environmental activist and leader, Senator Nelson will be sorely missed.
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