Adolph Murie
Encyclopedia
Adolph Murie the first scientist to study wolves in their natural habitat, was a naturalist, author, and wildlife biologist who pioneered field research on wolves, bears, and other mammals and birds in Arctic and sub-Arctic Alaska. He was also instrumental in protecting wolves from eradication and in preserving the biological integrity of the Denali National Park and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
.
, the child of Ed and Marie Winstrom. In 1922, prior to completing college, Adolph Murie joined his brother, Olaus Murie
, on an expedition to Mt. McKinley National Park, the first of many trips he would make to Alaska to do biological research. Murie received a Bachelor’s Degree from Concordia College
, and attended graduate school at the University of Michigan
, where he earned his Ph. D. in 1929. He subsequently worked on projects for the university’s Zoology Museum, among other things doing research on mammals in Guatemala and British Honduras.
, published as Ecology of the Coyote in Yellowstone. This book set off a storm of controversy within the Service, and represents one of the first studies published that argued against the Service’s long tradition of predator eradication. In 1939, the National Park Service assigned Murie to assess the relationship between the Dall sheep
and the wolf in the Mt. McKinley area. The resulting book, "The Wolves of Mt. McKinley", is considered a classic, especially given the detailed field observations which Murie spent hours collecting from 1939-1941. The publication of these two works led directly to the termination of the predator eradication programs in Yellowstone and Mt. McKinley national parks.
Murie’s book, A Naturalist in Alaska, won the John Burroughs Medal
in 1963.
Along with his brother, Olaus, Murie helped to enlarge existing national park boundaries and to create additional new units, notably the Jackson Hole National Monument
in 1943 (it was upgraded to national park status several years later, then incorporated into the Grand Teton National Park
).
In addition to his books, Murie published numerous articles against predator control programs and excessive human intrusion on wilderness areas. He wrote letters and submitted testimony to Congress regarding Isle Royale
, Jackson Hole, Mt. McKinley, and other wilderness areas threatened by development or predator control programs, including an article against pesticide use in Grand Teton National Park
in 1966.
in Moose, Wyoming
. The ranch was designated a National Historic Landmark
in 2006, and the house and grounds are the headquarters for the Murie Center, a non-profit organization which, in partnership with Grand Teton National Park, engages people to understand and commit to conserving wildlife and wild places—the same values to which the Muries dedicated their lives.
The Stanford University Law School presents the “Olaus and Adolph Murie Award” for the best work done by a student in Environmental Law.
The Murie Science and Learning Center in Denali National Park was opened and officially dedicated to Murie on August 16, 2004. The Center also serves as the visitor’s center for the park in the winter.
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is a national wildlife refuge in northeastern Alaska, United States. It consists of in the Alaska North Slope region. It is the largest National Wildlife Refuge in the country, slightly larger than the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge...
.
Early life
Adolf Winstrom was born on September 6, 1899, in Moorhead, MinnesotaMoorhead, Minnesota
Moorhead is a city in Clay County, Minnesota, United States, and the largest city in northwest Minnesota. The population was 38,065 at the 2010 Census. It is the county seat of Clay County....
, the child of Ed and Marie Winstrom. In 1922, prior to completing college, Adolph Murie joined his brother, Olaus Murie
Olaus Murie
Olaus Murie , called the "father of modern elk management", was a naturalist, author, and wildlife biologist who did groundbreaking field research on a variety of large northern mammals. He also served as president of The Wilderness Society, The Wildlife Society, and as director of the Izaak Walton...
, on an expedition to Mt. McKinley National Park, the first of many trips he would make to Alaska to do biological research. Murie received a Bachelor’s Degree from Concordia College
Concordia College, Moorhead
Concordia College is a private liberal arts school located in Moorhead, Minnesota, United States. It is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and offers bachelors' degrees in the arts and music, as well as a master's degree in education. The college was founded by Norwegian...
, and attended graduate school at the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
, where he earned his Ph. D. in 1929. He subsequently worked on projects for the university’s Zoology Museum, among other things doing research on mammals in Guatemala and British Honduras.
Books and articles
In 1934, Adolph Murie went to work for the Wildlife Division of the National Park Service. In 1937, Murie conducted a study of coyotes in Yellowstone National ParkYellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park, established by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant on March 1, 1872, is a national park located primarily in the U.S. state of Wyoming, although it also extends into Montana and Idaho...
, published as Ecology of the Coyote in Yellowstone. This book set off a storm of controversy within the Service, and represents one of the first studies published that argued against the Service’s long tradition of predator eradication. In 1939, the National Park Service assigned Murie to assess the relationship between the Dall sheep
Dall Sheep
The Dall sheep , Ovis dalli, is a species of sheep native to northwestern North America, ranging from white to slate brown in color and having curved yellowish brown horns...
and the wolf in the Mt. McKinley area. The resulting book, "The Wolves of Mt. McKinley", is considered a classic, especially given the detailed field observations which Murie spent hours collecting from 1939-1941. The publication of these two works led directly to the termination of the predator eradication programs in Yellowstone and Mt. McKinley national parks.
Murie’s book, A Naturalist in Alaska, won the John Burroughs Medal
John Burroughs Medal
The John Burroughs Medal, named for nature writer John Burroughs , is awarded each year in April by the John Burroughs Association to the author of a book that the association has judged to be distinguished in the field of natural history....
in 1963.
Service, research and wildlife organizations
Along with his brother, Olaus, Murie helped to enlarge existing national park boundaries and to create additional new units, notably the Jackson Hole National Monument
Jackson Hole National Monument
Jackson Hole National Monument was a wildlife reserve in Jackson Hole, the majority of which is now a part of Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, United States. It was created by executive order by Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1943, and met with considerable opposition from Wyoming legislators....
in 1943 (it was upgraded to national park status several years later, then incorporated into the Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park is a United States National Park located in northwestern Wyoming, U.S. The Park consists of approximately and includes the major peaks of the long Teton Range as well as most of the northern sections of the valley known as Jackson Hole. Only south of Yellowstone...
).
In addition to his books, Murie published numerous articles against predator control programs and excessive human intrusion on wilderness areas. He wrote letters and submitted testimony to Congress regarding Isle Royale
Isle Royale
Isle Royale is an island of the Great Lakes, located in the northwest of Lake Superior, and part of the state of Michigan. The island and the 450 surrounding smaller islands and waters make up Isle Royale National Park....
, Jackson Hole, Mt. McKinley, and other wilderness areas threatened by development or predator control programs, including an article against pesticide use in Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park is a United States National Park located in northwestern Wyoming, U.S. The Park consists of approximately and includes the major peaks of the long Teton Range as well as most of the northern sections of the valley known as Jackson Hole. Only south of Yellowstone...
in 1966.
Honors, Awards, Memorials
Adolph Murie died on August 16, 1974 at his STS Ranch, now part of the Murie Ranch Historic DistrictMurie Ranch Historic District
The Murie Ranch Historic District, also known as the STS Dude Ranch and Stella Woodbury Summer Home is an inholding in Grand Teton National Park near Moose, Wyoming. The district is chiefly significant for its association with the conservationists Olaus Murie, his wife Margaret Murie and scientist...
in Moose, Wyoming
Moose, Wyoming
Moose is an unincorporated community in Teton County, Wyoming, United States, in the Jackson Hole valley. It has a US Post Office, with the zip code of 83012. The town is located within Grand Teton National Park along the banks of the Snake River...
. The ranch was designated a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
in 2006, and the house and grounds are the headquarters for the Murie Center, a non-profit organization which, in partnership with Grand Teton National Park, engages people to understand and commit to conserving wildlife and wild places—the same values to which the Muries dedicated their lives.
The Stanford University Law School presents the “Olaus and Adolph Murie Award” for the best work done by a student in Environmental Law.
The Murie Science and Learning Center in Denali National Park was opened and officially dedicated to Murie on August 16, 2004. The Center also serves as the visitor’s center for the park in the winter.
Works by Adolph Murie
- Birds of Mount McKinley National Park, Alaska
- The ecological relationship of two subspecies of Peromyscys in the Glacier park region (Ann Arbor, Michigan: The University of Michigan Press, 1933)
- Fauna of the national parks of the United States. Ecology of the coyote in the Yellowstone (Washington, U.S. Govt. print office, 1940)
- Following fox trails (Ann Arbor, Mich., University of Michigan press, 1936)
- The Wolves of Mount McKinley (Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1985) ISBN 0-295-96203-8
- The Grizzlies of Mount McKinley (Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1985) ISBN 0-295-96204-6
- Mammals from Guatemala and British Honduras (Ann Arbor, Mich., University of Michigan press, 1935)
- Mammals of Denali (Alaska Natural History Association, 1994) ISBN 0-930931-12-2
- The moose of Isle Royale (Ann Arbor, Mich., University of Michigan press, 1934)
- A naturalist in Alaska (Tucson: University of Arizona Press, 1990) ISBN 0-8165-1168-3
External links
- The Murie Center (Wyoming)
- The Murie Science and Learning Center (Alaska)
- Online edition of The Grizzlies of Mt. McKinley
- Online edition of The Wolves of Mt. McKinley
- Online edition of The Mammals of Guatemala and British Honduras
- Online edition of The Moose of Isle Royale
- Online edition of Ecology of the Coyote in the Yellowstone