4/22

Celebrating Women in Conservation

Throughout history, women have played a key role in helping shape the modern conservation movement. Margaret Murie and Mollie Beattie in particular have had a lasting impact by forging the conservation path and recognizing our responsibility as stewards of the earth.

Margaret Murie, more fondly remembered as the “grandmother of the conservation movement”, pioneered this movement through her advocacy, championing the need for legislation and her commitment to recording the ever-changing landscape around her. In 1998, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by former President Bill Clinton in recognition of her conservation efforts. Read more about her legacy here.

Another prominent figure in the movement, Mollie Beattie is hailed as the first woman to head the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Within her tenure, the agency is credited with establishing 15 national wildlife refuges and more than 100 habitat conservation plans signed with private landowners. Read more about Mollie’s legacy of advocating the need to reverse the devastating trend in the depletion of natural resources here.

The commitment these women, and so many others like them, have shown to protecting our most precious resources continues to be an inspiration to our mission — with the onus now on us to further their work.

Here at P4C, we know that traditional land conservation practices alone cannot fully satisfy the need to conserve lands for the preservation of wildlife habitats, which is why we’re committed to filling in the gap.