Alton A. Lindsey
Encyclopedia
Alton A. Lindsey was a pioneering ecologist who was largely responsible for the creation of nature preserves in the state of Indiana
, where he was a professor of forest ecology
at Purdue University
from 1947 to 1973. His book, “Natural Areas of Indiana and Their Preservation” (published 1970) was used to support the creation of Indiana’s first nature preserve, Pine Hills Nature Preserve, and he was also instrumental in the creation of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
. The Army Corps of Engineers plan to dam Big Walnut Creek
in Indiana was also halted due to the efforts of Lindsey and a number of other activists; today there is also a large nature preserve
along the Big Walnut.
Lindsey was on Admiral Byrd’s second Antarctica expedition as a biologist
and brought a number of penguin
s back to the states with him, before he had even graduated from Cornell University
. He was nationally known for his work in ecology, and published several books on ecological and other areas of natural history
.
He published 10 books (not counting some small-press books of nature poetry
, many of a humorous nature) in addition to scientific articles.
Lindsey was a founding member of the Nature Conservancy.
Honors:
Named Eminent Ecologist of 1976, Ecological Society of America
Antarctican Lindsey Islands
named for him.
Fellowships established in his name at Purdue University and Goshen College
.
Purdue University Alton Lindsey Field Laboratory dedicated to him.
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
, where he was a professor of forest ecology
Forest ecology
Forest ecology is the scientific study of the interrelated patterns, processes, flora, fauna and ecosystems in forests. The management of forests is known as forestry, silviculture, and forest management...
at Purdue University
Purdue University
Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, U.S., is the flagship university of the six-campus Purdue University system. Purdue was founded on May 6, 1869, as a land-grant university when the Indiana General Assembly, taking advantage of the Morrill Act, accepted a donation of land and...
from 1947 to 1973. His book, “Natural Areas of Indiana and Their Preservation” (published 1970) was used to support the creation of Indiana’s first nature preserve, Pine Hills Nature Preserve, and he was also instrumental in the creation of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is a U.S. National Lakeshore located in northwest Indiana and managed by the National Park Service. It was authorized by Congress in 1966. The national lakeshore runs for nearly along the southern shore of Lake Michigan, from Gary, Indiana, on the west to Michigan...
. The Army Corps of Engineers plan to dam Big Walnut Creek
Big Walnut Creek
Big Walnut Creek starts near Mount Gilead, Ohio in Morrow County. It flows south to eastern Delaware County and parallels Alum Creek. It passes to the east of Sunbury and into Hoover Reservoir. The reservoir crosses into Franklin County and flows through Gahanna and Whitehall...
in Indiana was also halted due to the efforts of Lindsey and a number of other activists; today there is also a large nature preserve
Big Walnut Creek Nature Preserve
The Big Walnut Creek Nature Preserve, or simply Walnut Creek Preserve, is a nature preserve located in northeast Austin, Texas in the United States.-Notes:...
along the Big Walnut.
Lindsey was on Admiral Byrd’s second Antarctica expedition as a biologist
Biologist
A biologist is a scientist devoted to and producing results in biology through the study of life. Typically biologists study organisms and their relationship to their environment. Biologists involved in basic research attempt to discover underlying mechanisms that govern how organisms work...
and brought a number of penguin
Penguin
Penguins are a group of aquatic, flightless birds living almost exclusively in the southern hemisphere, especially in Antarctica. Highly adapted for life in the water, penguins have countershaded dark and white plumage, and their wings have become flippers...
s back to the states with him, before he had even graduated from Cornell University
Cornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
. He was nationally known for his work in ecology, and published several books on ecological and other areas of natural history
Natural history
Natural history is the scientific research of plants or animals, leaning more towards observational rather than experimental methods of study, and encompasses more research published in magazines than in academic journals. Grouped among the natural sciences, natural history is the systematic study...
.
He published 10 books (not counting some small-press books of nature poetry
Poetry
Poetry is a form of literary art in which language is used for its aesthetic and evocative qualities in addition to, or in lieu of, its apparent meaning...
, many of a humorous nature) in addition to scientific articles.
Lindsey was a founding member of the Nature Conservancy.
Honors:
Named Eminent Ecologist of 1976, Ecological Society of America
Ecological Society of America
The Ecological Society of America is a professional organization of ecological scientists. Based in the United States, ESA publishes a suite of publications, from peer-reviewed journals to newsletters, fact sheets and teaching resources. It holds an annual meeting at different locations in the...
Antarctican Lindsey Islands
Lindsey Islands
Lindsey Islands is a group of islands lying just off the northwest tip of Canisteo Peninsula in Amundsen Sea. Delineated from air photos taken by U.S. Navy Operation Highjump in December 1946. Named by Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names for Alton A. Lindsey, biologist with the Byrd Antarctic...
named for him.
Fellowships established in his name at Purdue University and Goshen College
Goshen College
Goshen College, is a private Mennonite liberal arts college in Goshen, Indiana, USA with an enrollment of around 1,000 students. The college is accredited by North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities...
.
Purdue University Alton Lindsey Field Laboratory dedicated to him.
Sources
- Encyclopedia Britannica article - http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/341930/Alton-A-Lindsey
- Purdue University, Ross Biological Preserve Dedication - http://www.bio.purdue.edu/ecology/ross-reserve/ALindsey.html
- Alton A. Lindsey, 92, Dies; Ecologist Left Global Imprint. The New York Times.