July 07, 2011

Passing of Anne LaBastille

Wildlife ecologist and conservationist Anne LaBastille has died. She was 75.
LaBastille was an outspoken proponent of environmental conservation whose book Woodswoman reached a national audience and served as inspiration for legions of women interested in the outdoors. At the same time she was a controversial Adirondack figure who served as Adirondack Park Agency (APA) commissioner from 1975 to 1993, a tenure that showed her to be a tenacious defender of the wild character of the Adirondack Park.
Besides the important of Woodswoman to women interested in the outdoor life, she had a Colorado connection too: "She left Cornell to attend graduate school at Colorado State University where she received an M.S. in wildlife management in 1961. Her master's thesis was An Ecological Analysis of Mule Deer Winter Range, Cache la Poudre Canyon, Colorado."

3 comments:

Fish Cop said...

I had no idea she was that old. I loved her books- inspired me to work in the conservation field. I hope more young women will pick up her books!
Fish Cop
http://fishcopoutofwater.com/

kxm1 said...

Anne was born Nov. 20, 1933---which means she was 77 1/2. The most widespread obit has reported her age inaccurately.

kxm1 said...

Born Nov. 20, 1933---yes she was that old! 77 1/2 years! A terrific writer and absolutely wonderful human being in all respects.
Anne will be missed by many, many people. I am one. I am happy to have been able to study her books and to have met her on two occasions.