Ansel Adams: Father of American Photography

Though he died more than 25 years ago, Ansel Adams’ name has been all over the news this week thanks to a lucky garage sale find.

Aldo Leopold's Wilderness

Pioneering conservationist Aldo Leopold advocated ecologically responsible land management before it was cool.

Will Curtis, Vermont Public Radio Commentator

Will Curtis’ Vermont Public Radio commentary turned the state’s natural beauty into evocative poetry.

Happy 50th, Peace Corps!

We commemorate the Peace Corps’ 50th anniversary with a tip of the hat to Peace Corps volunteers who have died in recent months.

Liz Claiborne: The Business of Fashion

Liz Claiborne changed the fashion world – and the business world, too.

She Sounded the Alarm

Jennifer Merendino blogged about her cancer journey to spur women to get mammograms and to sound the alarm about environmental toxins.

Thor Heyerdahl, Adventurer

In a time when the age of adventurers seemed long past, Thor Heyerdahl became one anyway.

Eddie Albert and Earth Day

Just as important to Eddie Albert as his acting career was his activism.

The Legend of Grey Owl

The life and legend of the Canadian wildlife advocate known as Grey Owl.

Rachel Carson, Environmental Crusader

Half a century after Rachel Carson's death, her work toward a cleaner environment still resonates.

Mother of the Conservation Movement

On Earth Day, we remember a woman who was “one of the elders” of the environmentalist movement.

Timothy Treadwell: The Bear Man

Timothy Treadwell had his supporters and his critics but nobody doubted his passion for Grizzly Bears...

William Holden: Hollywood Icon

William Holden went places. In movies and in life he was always on the move.

Mildred Zantow: Recycling Pioneer

Anyone who has ever recycled a plastic container in the U.S. can thank Milly Zantow for making it possible.

Video: Green Funerals and Natural Burials

As a ‘green funeral’ trend grows in popularity, more people are planning burials that emphasize an organic return to the earth.

Don Edwards (1915 - 2015)

Former U.S. Representative Don Edwards has died, according to The Associated Press. He was 100.A leading congressional Democrat from California, he was a champion of civil rights and the environment during his three decades on the hill in Washington.

Grace Lee Boggs (1915 - 2015)

Grace Lee Boggs, a longtime activist who was part of the labor, civil rights, black power, women's rights and environmental justice movements, died Monday at her Detroit home, The Associated Press reported. She was 100.

Doug Tompkins (1943 - 2015)

Doug Tompkins, an American business entrepreneur who co-founded The North Face chain of outdoor clothing stores and later became a conservationist, died Tuesday in a kayaking accident in Coyhaique, Chile, according to the Chilean navy. He was 72.

What Are Your Options for a Green Funeral?

Five approaches for a more environmentally friendly end of life.

Ken Hechler (1914 - 2016), West Virginia congressman

Ken Hechler, a former West Virginia congressman and author, died Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016. He was 102.

Remembering Rachel Carson (video)

A video tribute to the scientist and author of "Silent Spring."

Daphne Sheldrick (1934 – 2018), elephant conservationist featured in “Born to Be Wild 3D”

Daphne Sheldrick, British-Kenyan elephant conservationist who was featured in “Born to Be Wild 3D” documentary, died Thursday, April 12, 2018, after a long battle with breast cancer, according to the Associated Press. She was 83.

Nathaniel Reed (1933–2018), prominent environmental advocate

Helped craft the U.S. Endangered Species Act…

Wallace Broecker (1931–2019), scientist popularized the term “global warming”

Predicted rising levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide would raise global temperatures.

W.S. Merwin (1927 – 2019), Pulitzer Prize-winning poet laureate

W.S. Merwin was one of America's best known poets, winner of two Pulitzer Prizes and a National Book Award.

10 Eco-Friendly Alternatives to a Memorial Balloon Launch

How to create an outdoor memorial service that is beautiful and eco-conscious.

Graeme Gibson (1934–2019), author and longtime partner of Margaret Atwood

Graeme Gibson was a Canadian author and conservationist who was the longtime partner of author Margaret Atwood. Gibson wrote novels including “Five Legs” (1969) and “Perpetual Motion” (1982).

John Houghton (1931–2020), renowned climate scientist

John Houghton was a renowned climate scientist who won a Nobel Peace Prize in 2007.

S. David Freeman (1926–2020), ‘green cowboy’ who led the Tennessee Valley Authority

S. David Freeman was a renewable energy champion who led the Tennessee Valley Authority and advised presidents on green power.

Bill Owens (1935–2021), songwriter who was Dolly Parton’s uncle and mentor

Bill Owens was a country music songwriter who was Dolly Parton’s uncle and mentor.

LaDonna Brave Bull Allard (1956–2021), DAPL protest leader

LaDonna Brave Bull Allard was the founder of the first camp for the protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL).

Vivian Milligan (1951–2021), NJ pollution fighter from HBO's 'Mann v. Ford'

Vivian Milligan was a clean water activist who prominently fought for the cleanup of a New Jersey Superfund site.

James Lovelock (1919–2022), ecologist known for Gaia theory

James Lovelock was an English ecologist known for his Gaia theory of the Earth as a living, self-regulating system.

John Rensenbrink (1928–2022), Green Party co-founder

John Rensenbrink was a co-founder of the Green Party of the United States, the fourth-largest political party in the U.S.

Roger Payne (1935–2023), scientist who discovered whale song

Roger Payne was a biologist who discovered whale song and released a popular album featuring his recordings. 

John Fielder (1950–2023), celebrated Colorado landscape photographer

John Fielder was a photographer known for his images of Colorado’s natural beauty.

Bob Graham (1936-2024), former U.S. senator and Florida governor

Bob Graham was a Democratic politician who served as the governor of Florida in the 1970s and ‘80s and went on to become a three-term U.S. senator.

Pete McCloskey (1927–2024), GOP congressman who fought Nixon

Pete McCloskey was a Republican congressman who became the first member of the House to call for Richard Nixon’s resignation, co-wrote the Endangered Species Act, and co-founded Earth Day.

Dr. George Woodwell (1928–2024), pioneering climate researcher

Dr. George Woodwell was a pioneering climate researcher whose work helped lead to the banning of the pesticide DDT.

Kiingi Tuheitia (1955–2024), king of New Zealand’s Māori 

Kiingi Tuheitia was the king of New Zealand’s indigenous Māori from 2006 until his death, a leader who worked to unify the nation’s tribes.

Dan Evans (1925–2024), former Washington governor and U.S. senator

Dan Evans was a three-term governor of Washington state in the 1960s and ‘70s who went on to serve as a U.S. senator in the ‘80s.

Raíºl Grijalva (1948–2025), U.S. representative from Arizona

Raíºl Grijalva was a Democrat who represented Arizona in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2003 until his death.