11/18/24 - 107 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA: http://tinyurl.com/3zb7jppr
| Share this: | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Environmental Heritage- Historical Marker Honors Conservationist Dr. Maurice K. Goddard
|
|
Officials from the departments of Conservation and Natural Resources and Environmental Protection joined other conservation leaders this week in the dedication of a formal marker honoring the late Dr. Maurice K. Goddard at the Rachel Carson State Office in Harrisburg. Video Blog: Watch videos from the event.
(Photo L to R: Bill Forrey, former Director Bureau of State Parks, Marci Mowery, PA Parks and Forests Foundation, Dr. Michele Sellitto, PHMC, Ken Wolensky, PHMC, John Hines, Deputy Secretary DEP, Dr. James Grace Penn State Goddard Chair, R. Timothy Weston, former Deputy Secretary DER, Cindy Dunn, Deputy Secretary DCNR)
A public unveiling of the PA Historical & Museum Commission marker commemorating the life of Goddard, a champion of Pennsylvania’s natural resources popularly hailed as “the father of Pennsylvania’s modern state park system.”
“‘Doc’ Goddard, whom I was very fortunate to know personally, was a true visionary, advancing conservation and recreation for all Pennsylvanians at a time of extreme challenges, said DCNR Deputy Secretary Cindy Dunn, among the event’s scheduled speakers. “As conservationists, we face very similar challenges and opportunities today, and can draw inspiration and wisdom from Maurice Goddard.”
Dunn’s department, along with the Department of Environmental Protection, is housed in the Rachel Carson building. Both agencies were part of the former Department of Environmental Resources which was dissolved in 1995 by Gov. Tom Ridge in a moved supported by Goddard, then-former DER secretary. Goddard died later that same year.
Known for his no-nonsense, blunt administrative style, Goddard served under five Pennsylvania governors, first as secretary of Forests and Waters, and then as founding secretary of the former DER (1955-1979).
“Whether the topic is state parklands or forestlands, waterways or open- space protection, the legacy of this public servant is imprinted across our state,” said Dunn. “What better location for this monument than the building where dedicated men and women work to keep that legacy alive?”
Among Goddard’s contributions cited by the DCNR deputy secretary: commitment to professionalism and civil service; dedication to providing a state park within 25 miles of every Pennsylvanian; watershed-scale approach to water management; dedicated funding for natural resource conservation through the Oil and Gas Fund; open space acquisition funded through Project 70 and Project 500 bond initiatives; profound influence on national conservation policies; and leadership in the formation of the Delaware River Basin and Susquehanna River Basin commissions.
Joining Dunn at the unveiling were: Marci Mowrey, PA Parks and Forestry Association which secured private contributions for the marker, Dr. James Grace, Goddard Chair Penn State University, John Hines, DEP Deputy Secretary for Water Resources, Dr. Michael Sellitto, Commissioner PA Historical and Museum Commission, Ken Wolensky, PHMC and unveiling the marker were R. Timothy Weston, former Deputy Secretary in the Department of Environmental Resources and Bill Forrey, Sr., former Director of the Bureau of State Parks.
Music for the event was provided by The Earth Tones, employees from DCNR and DEP.
The PHMC marker reads: “MAURICE K. GODDARD (1912-1995): Served five governors from 1955 to 1979 in an extraordinary career as Secretary of the former Departments of Environmental Resources and Forests and Waters. Goddard significantly expanded the state park system, established state forest natural and wild areas, and professionalized forestry and environmental management in state government. A leader in air and water resource management, he inspired environmental awareness nationwide.”
A similar marker also will be erected in front of the park office at Maurice K. Goddard State Park in Mercer County. The park, one of 117 across the state, was acquired and developed as part of Goddard’s push to develop a park within twenty-five miles of every citizen.
The new marker joins nearly 2,200 others that dot the state. The familiar, blue-with-gold-lettering signs tell the story of people and events in the Commonwealth's history. The plaques are nominated by the general public and approved by the commission on an annual basis.
Click here for a more detailed bio of Dr. Maurice K. Goddard. For more information, visit the PHMC Historical Marker Program webpage.
The following tribute to Dr. Goddard was written by the late Clifford L. Jones, former Secretary of the Department of Environmental Resources in 1995.
A Tribute To Doc Goddard
The rivers run clean now,
Not the thick black pudding of yesteryear.
I watched the Mayfly hatch, and caught my bass, returned it too.
For there are larger ones to hook.
The Eagles too, are back, flight tormenting
Smaller Osprey brethren for the rivers horn of plenty.
The otters play and swim now cradled and shared.
Translucent liquid transcending transparent
Urban and state political boundaries.
To drink, to bathe, to use
A single minded purpose vision produced
These public parks and lands
The rolling eyes, the pointed arm and finger.
The loud stentorian voice.
Night after night campaigning and cajoling
For poll support and people votes.
The bond money came, not once,
But twice the people spoke
Believing in this promise of picnic places.
It's here now, land lush with life,
Growing green, unfettered
From concrete clothes and skin of steel.
The rivers clean now.
The spots of green are ours now,
When we see the life that land and water bring.
But time to pause and thank
This gruff, white haired, action prophet now
And now and now.
|
|
|
9/20/2010 |
|
| Go To Preceding Article Go To Next Article |
