Benton MacKaye

1879–1975 (age 96)

conservationist/planner

Biography

Benton MacKaye envisioned a new kind of American wilderness recreation, and his seminal proposal for the Appalachian Trail fused his training as a forester with a planner's appreciation for human renewal. His thoughtful essays and insistence on ecological stewardship helped shape the conversation around conservation at a time when the nation was still learning how to protect its wild places.

Across a long life he remained a tireless advocate for thoughtful land use, community building, and the lifelong benefits of outdoor contemplation, leaving a rich legacy in the Center Cemetery where he is now at peace.

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