John Olmsted

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For the landscape designer, see John Charles Olmsted.
John Olmsted
IT Film John Olmsted National Geo.jpg
Born
John De Vaux Olmsted

March 2, 1938
Los Angeles, California
DiedMarch 8, 2011(2011-03-08) (aged 72)
Nevada City, California
EducationBachelor of Arts degree from Pomona College, and a Master's degree in Plant Ecology at Claremont Graduate University
OccupationConservationist, Naturalist, Botanist, Strybing Arboretum, Oakland Museum
Known forFounding the , Jug Handle State Natural Reserve, , Independence Trail, , , Oakland Museum of California
Spouse(s)Priscilla Dahlgren, Sally Cates
Children,

John D. Olmsted (March 2, 1938 – March 8, 2011) was a California naturalist and conservationist most famous for creating the Independence Trail in Nevada City, California, as well as helping to save numerous other parcels across California, including Jug Handle State Natural Reserve inCasper, California, Goat Mountain in the and Bridgeport Covered Bridge. His efforts and vision of a park at Bridgeport led to the creation of the South Yuba River State Park, a 39-mile length of Nationally protected Wild and Scenic land along the South Yuba River in Nevada County, California. Olmsted patterned his life after that of fellow environmentalist John Muir, with his trademark beard, formal clothing, and poetic and spiritual leanings towards the benefits of time spent in nature.

He earned a master's degree in plant ecology at Pomona College and became education director at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, California. He worked as a naturalist, docent and educator at the Oakland Museum, UC Berkeley Extension and the Mendocino Art Center.

He founded the Earth Planet Museum in Grass Valley [1] as a tribute to John Muir, environmentalism in California, and as a visual history of recorded audio and alternate technologies. During his time in Mendocino he worked with Hans Jenny in recognizing and preserving the Pygmy Forest, which is located within the boundaries of Jug Handle. His dream of a cross-California hiking trail remains the focus and goal of his devoted followers.[2] He was a resident of Nevada City, California, and is survived by his two sons, Erik Olmsted and Alden Olmsted.[3]

References[]

  1. ^ http://earthplanetmuseum.wordpress.com/
  2. ^ "Conservation Award". Nevadacountylandtrust.org. Retrieved 2011-03-20.
  3. ^ South Yuba River Independence Trail in Nevada County. "South Yuba River Independence Trail in Nevada County". NevadaCounty.com. Retrieved 2011-03-20.
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