Home / Environment / Retired Professor's Wetland Becomes Protected Haven
Retired Professor's Wetland Becomes Protected Haven
29 Aug
Summary
- A professor retired and dedicated his life to a local wetland.
- Neighbors established a protected preserve after his death.
- The marsh is located along the vital Pacific Flyway migratory route.
Dr. Frank Richardson, a former zoology professor at the University of Washington and head of ornithology at the Burke Museum, continued his passion for birds after retiring in 1972. He settled on Orcas Island in 1974, dedicating his final years to studying a local wetland, which he found to be unusually rich in birdlife, supporting about 80 species.
Richardson's fieldwork evolved beyond simple observation; he became convinced that protecting specific habitats was crucial for species survival. This conviction led him to land conservation efforts, applying his ornithological expertise to safeguard the marsh near his home. His work culminated in the establishment of the Frank Richardson Wildfowl Preserve.
After Richardson's passing in 1985, neighbors Bob and Meg Connor initiated the preserve's creation with a conservation easement in 1986. This protected area, now bearing his name, continues to serve as a vital stopover on the Pacific Flyway, honoring the retired professor's enduring dedication to conservation.
