Jocelyn Arundel Sladen

Sladen

Jocelyn Arundel Sladen

Noted author and conservationist Jocelyn Arundel Sladen has rejoined the Earth on her beloved home ground. An ardent champion of efforts to protect nature, "Jocey" was born in Washington, DC. She attended the National Cathedral School and Smith College before beginning her career as a journalist for the Washington Daily News.



Her passion and skill for sharing the wonders of the natural world were quickly noticed and put to good use. Jocey was the very first hire at IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature), the world's first international conservation organization. There she joined the front lines of the nascent global movement for environmental protection. She never left. A perspective gleaned from "bush travel" in Africa and Nepal, South and Central America and views into the ocean shared with her husband, marine engineer and inventor Ord Alexander, gave her a drive to improve human understanding and care for the natural world.



Launching from world travels into family life, she raised three children (and an endless line-up of other animals from racoons to horses). She authored over 10 popular children's books, innumerable articles for National Geographic, children's nature magazine Ranger Rick and large portions of the first natural history encyclopedia for young readers, published by Funk & Wagnalls. Jocey (and the illustrator of many of her books, local artist Wesley Dennis), were award-winners and perennial favorites on book tours for the Children's Book Guild.



Jocelyn was an instigator– and she stuck by her chosen causes through all weather. In 1961 with her father Russell Arundel and brother Arthur Arundel, she donated land on Wildcat Mountain to create the Wildcat Mountain Natural Area – the Nature Conservancy's first preserve in the state of Virginia. She went on to place her remaining land holdings under one of the first easements ever written by the Virginia Outdoors Foundation. Her partnership in work and life with biologist Dr. William Sladen resulted in the formation over 30 years ago of what is now known as the Clifton Institute – originating critical scientific studies for the protection of the natural integrity of the Piedmont. The Institute provides education in natural history to people of all ages.



Jocelyn spearheaded all this important local work while maintaining an earth-wide perspective. She chaired national boards in times of great challenge: at the helm of Defenders of Wildlife in the 1970's leading the vanguard to protect "the animals nobody loves–" such as coyotes and wolves. At the Center for Plant Conservation, she engaged many fellow conservationists to expand their thinking into plant ecology and biodiversity. She also took a founding role in the creation of Rachel's Network– an alliance of women environmental leaders, named in honor of Rachel Carson.



Jocelyn passed away on June 29, 2023. No services are planned.



"Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. The more clearly we can focus our attention on the wonders and realities of the universe, the less taste we shall have for destruction."