Profile of Giving: Marie L. Lavallard

The late Marie Lavallard

Summer 2007 -- Marie L. Lavallard of Fayetteville, a longtime friend of the The Nature Conservancy, died April 3, 2006, at the age of 94, leaving a legacy among the lives she touched as well as a legacy of conservation.

“The Conservancy is grateful to have been named as the beneficiary of a portion of Mrs. Lavallard’s estate,” said Susan Borné, associate director of philanthropy. “Thanks to her commitment and planning, the Arkansas program will receive one of the largest bequests in our history.” 

Lavallard was a Conservancy member since 1975 and made many gifts in support of special projects. She enjoyed attending Conservancy programs and trips, and over the years she developed friendships with the Conservancy staff. 

A graduate of Cornell University with a master’s degree in plant science, Lavallard began her career at the University of Vermont in 1936. In 1946, she and her husband, John Albert Lavallard, both took positions at the University of Arkansas College of Agriculture. Mrs. Lavallard remained at the U of A until her retirement in 1981. 

During her years at the U of A, Lavallard founded the Arkansas Farm Research journal, and she served as professor, department chair and head of the Department of Agriculture Communications. She was also an adjunct professor at the Pan-American Agricultural School in Honduras. 

“Marie was most interested in nurturing students of all levels and from all countries,” said Dayle McCune, the Conservancy’s former associate director of philanthropy who knew Lavallard for many years. “Although Marie didn’t have children of her own, dozens, if not hundreds, of international students adopted her. She traveled extensively to visit them after they left the U of A, and her home was brimming with mementos they sent her.”

For her work with the Foundation for International Exchange of Students, a non-profit organization that works with international students at the U of A, Lavallard received the Millennium 2000 International Volunteer Award sponsored by the U.S. Department of State in partnership with USA Today. 

In keeping with Lavallard’s deep interest in conservation in the Natural State and abroad, the Conservancy will use half of the bequest funds for in-state land acquisitions and half for global conservation priorities.

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