Dr. Clifford L. Jones, who served six Governors in a variety of cabinet-level and executive positions, including as Secretary of the Department of Environmental Resources from 1979 to 1981, passed away this week.

Dr. Jones was a public servant, community leader and conservationist who worked to promote intelligent and effective public policy as well as business growth and job creation, while maintaining environmental responsibility.

He was not only Secretary of DER during the Three Mile Island Accident in 1979 just months after taking office, but during his tenure as the second Secretary of DER, major new environmental programs were created, including passage of the Solid Waste Management Act, amendments to state surface coal mining laws to comply with the federal Surface Mining Act, the Coastal Zone Management program, the first comprehensive regulations to regulate dams, encroachments and wetlands, passage of a $300 million drinking water, stormwater and unsafe dam repair bond issue under the Water Facilities Loan Board and the creation of the Wild Resources Conservation Program to protect rare, endangered and non-game species.

Dr. Jones also served as Secretary of Commerce, Secretary of the Department of Labor and Industry, chairman of the Public Utility Commission, President of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, chair of the Republican State Committee and served on the boards of the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Pennsylvania Environmental Council, The Nature Conservancy, the Pennsylvania Audubon Society, Pennsylvania Wildlife Federation, the Pennsylvania Parks and Forest Foundation and was an original member of the advisory committee to the Wild Resources Conservation Fund.

In his spare time, Dr. Jones served as an adjunct professor at Messiah College and Penn State University.

An avid birdwatcher, Dr. Jones has a lifetime bird list totaling 3,800 world sightings, 714 North America sightings and 350 world mammal sightings from his travels to 55 countries, 30 states and 8 Canadian provinces.

Though humble about his many accomplishments, Dr. Jones was honored by the Pennsylvania Society, named Conservationist of theYear by the Central Pennsylvania Conservancy, received the Fox Calhoun Award from the Pennsylvania Resources Council, was the 1986 winner of the James McGirr Kelly Award from the PA Chapter of the National Association of Water companies and receive many other accolades.

The Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation recently created a special Cliff Jones Land Acquisition Fund in his honor and Audubon Pennsylvania is developing the Cliff Jones Field Station at the Waggoner’s Gap Hawk Watch in Cumberland and Perry counties to remember his many accomplishments for birding and wildlife.

Video Blog: Watch a Overview of the Life of Cliff Jones, In His Own Words

Gov. Rendell and other public officials expressed their condolences on his passing.

"Cliff was the ultimate public servant who worked for the benefit of Pennsylvania citizens under six governors, in numerous roles, including several Cabinet positions. Early in my administration, Cliff headed the Governor's Action Team -- a position at which he excelled -- and helped launch Pennsylvania's remarkable economic recovery,” said Gov. Rendell. "His environmental advocacy earned him the Fox Calhoun Award from the Pennsylvania Resources Council in 2006 for protecting and repairing the environment. And, he was named 'Conservationist of the Year' by the Central Pennsylvania Conservancy.

"He also worked tirelessly for Pennsylvania's military installations by serving as co-chairman of the Pennsylvania Base Development Committee from 1996 through 2005. I have no doubt that Cliff's leadership on this committee was paramount to maintaining so many jobs in Pennsylvania during the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure process. As recognition of Cliff's service, he received the Pennsylvania Meritorious Service Medal.

"At the 108th Pennsylvania Society dinner last December, Cliff was recognized with the Society's Distinguished Citizen of the Commonwealth Award. It was a well-deserved tribute to his lifetime of service. I will miss Cliff's leadership, experience and service – as will all of Pennsylvania."

"Pennsylvania has lost a good friend and a cherished and devoted public servant. After more than four decades in public service, Cliff will be remembered for his innumerous contributions to the Commonwealth and to central Pennsylvania,” said DEP Secretary Kathleen McGinty. "I came to know Cliff early in Gov. Rendell's administration, and will always be grateful to him for his insight and counsel. Cliff was a champion for the environment. A guiding principle throughout his professional life was that environmental protection and good economic policy could work hand-in-hand.

“As secretary of the Department of Environmental Resources under Governor Thornburgh, it was Cliff's leadership that helped the Commonwealth respond effectively to the crisis at Three Mile Island in 1979. On behalf of the Department of Environmental Protection, I offer our deepest condolences to his family."

"Cliff Jones understood the wonder of nature and, as a result, became a tireless advocate for the protection of our special places and natural areas in Pennsylvania. Those of us in the conservation community will dearly miss his advice, mentoring and support,” said DCNR Secretary Michael DiBerardinis. "As an avid birder, he knew the need to protect habitat and ecosystems. Throughout his career and in his personal life, he worked to educate others and advocate for land protection and wildlife management. He touched the lives of so many of us, and for that we will always be grateful. Our thoughts are with his wife and family, who shared his love of the outdoors, for their tremendous loss."

“Cliff was one of those unique people who was equally at home in the board room, his state office or leading travelers through a South American jungle to catch a glimpse of a rare bird,” said former DEP Secretary David E. Hess. “He expressed his love of nature not only through his leadership on public policy issues, but personally through his own actions, photography and poetry. He was truly a Renaissance man when it came to the environment and I shall miss his counsel, his always encouraging words and his ability to bring out the best in people.”

In lieu of flowers, the Jones family has requested Cliff’s life and contributions be celebrated through gifts to The Cliff Jones Field Station at Waggoners Gap, c/o Audubon Pennsylvania Development Office, John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove, 1201 Pawlings Road, Audubon, Pennsylvania 19043 (online at www.audobon.org/chapter/pa ); or The Clifford and Carole Jones Public Service Internship Fund at Messiah College (online a www.messiah.edu/development ); or the Cliff Jones Fund for Good Government (checks made payable to PSU-Harrisburg) W-110 Olmstead Building, 777 West Harrisburg, Pike, Middletown, Pennsylvania 17057.

NewsClips: GOP, Midstate Leader Cliff Jones Dies

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Remembering Cliff Jones

Conservationist/State Leader Clifford L. Jones Dies

Editorial: Cliff Jones Was a Doer

5/9/2008