President Carter was an enthusiastic birder and an early champion for climate action
The former president, who passed away last month, championed historic legislation and was honored by the National Audubon Society for his work.
As the nation remembers President Jimmy Carter, it bears mentioning by this organization that among his many attributes and achievements in public service, Jimmy Carter was a lifelong birder.
He went birding on all seven continents, and spoke about the importance of protecting birds. In 1994, he received the Audubon Medal, given in recognition of outstanding achievement in the field of conservation and environmental protection.
It makes sense that a president whose environmental legacy is so significant would appreciate both the beauty and the importance of birds. During his presidency, the size of the national park system doubled. Eleven new national parks created, eight of which were in Alaska alone. The Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, passed during his presidency, designated 56 million acres of wilderness in Alaska. These included regions like the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, the Tongass National Forest, and Chugach National Forest. He also designated 39 wild and scenic rivers, tripling the size of the official national system.
In 1977, President Carter signed legislation creating the Department of Energy, and created a national comprehensive energy plan that placed an emphasis on developing renewable energy sources. He even went so far as to install solar panels on the roof of the White House.
Throughout the rest of his life, President Carter advocated for responsible action against the threats of climate change among his humanitarian pursuits. We pause to remember his contributions to the natural world, and offer gratitude for his partnership on behalf of birds.