Recognizing African American Pioneers in Wildlife Conservation
Mamas, don’t let your babies grow up to be archaeologists
George McJunkin was an enslaved African American who became a cowboy and made a significant discovery in American natural history and archaeology in 1908. He found bones that proved that people were living in the area now known as the southwestern United States at least 10,000 years ago. Although he spent the rest of his life trying to convince people that what he had found was significant, it was only after his death that he was given the credit he was due.
Is there a doctor in the house?
Dr. Roger Arliner Young was the first Black woman to earn a PhD in Zoology. Despite facing many obstacles, she graduated with her Master’s in 1926, and later went on to earn her PhD in 1940. She became a pioneer and trailblazer in her field, teaching at several universities and leaving a lasting legacy.
A legacy as tall as a tree
Colonel Charles Young was the third African American to graduate from West Point and the first African American National Park Superintendent. He had a profound impact on the Sequoia National Park, advocating for nature, wildlife, and conservation. After his death, a giant Sequoia tree was named in his honor, and he was buried in Arlington National Cemetery beside many of our nation’s heroes.
Black American Trailblazers in Conservation
Conservation has always been a crucial field in America. As the country developed and expanded, its natural resources were often exploited and depleted. However, conservationists played a vital role in protecting those resources and ensuring their sustainability for future generations. Many Black Americans contributed to this field in significant ways, but their stories are often overlooked. Here are some of the trailblazers who made a difference in conservation history.
John Francis
John Francis is an environmentalist who made headlines in 1983 when he decided to give up driving and all forms of motorized transportation. He then walked across the United States and continued to travel solely by foot, bicycle, and sometimes kayak for the next 22 years, earning him the nickname “Planetwalker.” During this time, he became an advocate for the environment and conservation, while also pursuing higher education and becoming a Ph.D. Francis’s work focused on promoting sustainable transportation and reducing carbon emissions.
George Washington Carver
George Washington Carver is well known for his contributions to agriculture and the development of peanut products. However, he also made significant contributions to conservation. His agricultural practices emphasized crop rotation, soil management, and other conservation techniques that helped restore depleted soil that had long impacted African American farmers. Carver’s work is celebrated to this day as his teachings and writings are still heavily used in agricultural practices.
Marjorie Harris Carr
Marjorie Harris Carr was an environmental activist who fought to preserve the Florida Everglades. She played a crucial role in preventing the construction of a dam on the Cross Florida Barge Canal in the 1970s, by challenging the government to consider the impact it would have on the ecological system. She spoke up against environmental racism and ensured that Black and Indigenous communities were not left out of the conservation efforts. Thanks to her advocacy efforts; The Florida Trail, a 1,400-mile hiking trail, was created.
Dr. Carolyn Finney
Dr. Carolyn Finney’s work focuses on identifying and addressing issues of perceived exclusion and underrepresentation in the global conservation movement. Finney is a cultural geographer and author of Black Faces, White Spaces: Reimagining the Relationship of African Americans to the Great Outdoors. This book explores the relationship African Americans have with natural spaces, which has evolved over time due to centuries of systemic oppression. Finney’s writing highlights the need for increased inclusion in conservation efforts, including the diversification of national park visitors and staff.
Conclusion
Black American trailblazers have contributed immensely towards conservation and continue to do so today. They have not only made important contributions to the field but also challenged and reimagined traditional conservation practices. This Black History Month, it is vital to recognize and celebrate their achievements as the conversation around the environment and protecting natural resources becomes increasingly important. Moreover, it is essential to ensure that their contributions are not obscured and their stories are told in the broader conservation narrative.
