Kerry Baldwin Obituary

Born in Arizona in 1951, Kerry Baldwin passed away of natural causes at his home in Tucson in October 2024. With his passing, Arizona and the world have lost a true champion of our diverse and precious natural heritage. Kerry was a visionary leader, accomplished professional, and generous community member. He was a rare combination of knowledge and skills as an organizational manager, wildlife biologist and educator. He dedicated his decades-long career to identifying and conserving natural habitats, especially in Arizona, while educating people of all ages about their importance at local, national, and international levels.

Kerry studied Natural Resources Management and Wildlife Ecology from 1971 1979 at the University of Arizona in Tucson. During those years he earned both an undergraduate degree and a masters in natural resources management and wildlife ecology. He began work in 1976 at the Arizona Game and Fish Department in Phoenix. By 1979, he was Branch Chief of Education and held that role until 2004. He helped found the internationally recognized wildlife education program, Project WILD. From 2004 to 2016 he served as Superintendent of Natural Resources for Pima County with responsibilities for the County Natural Resource Parks and for implementing the Conservation Land Management Program of the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan. Kerry had a key role in implementing the voter-approved $165 million dollar conservation land acquisition program established in 2004 with responsibility for more than 145 different biologically important properties covering over 250,000 acres in Pima County while also providing environmental education and rangelands resource management programs.

Kerry served recently as a trustee for the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum; for more than 20 years as advisor to the Wildlife for Tomorrow Foundation; and as a lifetime member of the Tucson Trap and Skeet Club. His contributions are numerous, including his part in a major research project, "Bobcats in Tucson."

Kerry was predeceased by his parents, Minnie and Harold Baldwin. He is survived by his sister, Linda Reynolds, and his two nephews, James and Jonathan Reynolds. A memorial service will be held at a future date. Charitable contributions in Kerry's memory may be made to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and the Arizona Land and Water Trust.

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Published by Arizona Daily Star from Oct. 29 to Nov. 3, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Kerry Baldwin

8 Entries

Julio Betancourt

February 10, 2025

Kerry was a friend and colleague who helped me and others lead the effort to address the ongoing African buffelgrass invasion in southern Arizona. He was a fantastic and effective collaborator and public servant. I moved from Tucson to Reston, VA in 2013 and lost touch with Kerry. I only learned about his death this morning while reading an Arizona Daily Star story this morning (02/20/25) about a bobcat study he was involved with a Tucson colleague. I very much enjoyed Kerry's company and friendship. My condolences to his family and friends.

[email protected]

November 23, 2024

Dear Linda, What I remember about Kerry....you & me walking our younger brothers to grade school.
Sorry for your loss. Sincerely, Cynthia (Painter) Moore

John Windes

November 12, 2024

Kerry was a giant of conservation and one of the best people I've known. He leaves a tremendous legacy in Pima County in all of the natural landscapes he has preserved for wildlife habitat and human appreciation. He is sorely missed. Thank you, Kerry for all you've done for all of us!

Dolan Ellis

November 3, 2024

Kerry Baldwin was a dear friend and one of my heroes.
He was a very special soul and it was an honor to call him "friend".
Kerry was also an inspiration to my work as a singer/songwriter and he always would share his incredible knowledge of Arizona´s land and wildlife with me, whenever I was in need of deeper insight and accurate information for a song.
Thank you, Kerry. You made the world a better place in which to live and I will miss you forever.
Dolan Ellis
Arizona´s Balladeer

Karen Veley Combs

November 3, 2024

Our mothers were sisters. Sending our love and memories of Kerry to Linda and family. Karen and family, Boca Raton, FL.

George Kuck

November 2, 2024

I am deeply saddened to hear about the loss of Kerry. My prayers go out to his family and friends. It was a true pleasure working with him at Pima County NRPR for over 10 years. He will be surely missed.

Ruth Ann Tuten

November 2, 2024

My cousin was a wonderful person. He will be truly missed by his family and friends. We lived on different sides of the country for all of our lives, but time spent together was always special. I am very glad that Mike and I had the opportunity to visit with him a couple years ago. He gave us a wonderful tour of the area around Tucson, always the teacher. Such a special time. Hugs to all.

Wendy Burroughs

October 30, 2024

My sincere condolences to Kerry's family, friends and colleagues. Kerry was a mentor and friend. Kerry's good works in service of wildlife, habitat conservation, and community are a powerful and enduring legacy.

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