Clarence Petty

Clarence Adelbert Petty (August 8, 1905 – November 30, 2009) was a supervising forest ranger in the Adirondack Forest Preserve, conservationist, and avid outdoorsman well-known for his advocacy of protection of the Adirondack Park.^[1]

Clarence graduated from Saranac Lake High School in 1925 having struggled terribly with math. In that same year, 1925, he matriculated in the forestry program at the New York State College of Forestry in Syracuse,NY while his older brother Bill entered Cornell University to study forestry. These two colleges had competed for the "crown" of state college of forestry: Syracuse having won. This competition, Clarence remembered twenty years after the fact, produced a ferocious booing at football games between the two colleges^[2]

The course at the forestry college at Syracuse was physically tough in order to give the students the "feel" of life as a lumberjack. Reveille was at 6 a.m. for chore duty such as sawing or splitting firewood until the breakfast bell rang at seven. Every morning at 8 o'clock, regardless of weather, the all male forestry students went into the woods to study subjects such as silviculture, dendrology, mensuration, surveying, etc. At college, Clarence continued to struggle with math but during his junior year was surprised to be given a paying job teaching the use of a transit Theodolite and survey equipment which he could barely understand himself. Teaching others, helped Clarence to better understand surveying and to better appreciate social interactions. He graduated in June of 1930^[3]

One of his enduring legacies is the classification of land in the Park as either forest or wilderness, a classification that determines what uses are permitted. In wilderness areas, almost no motor vehicle access is allowed, with snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, seaplanes, and motorboats completely prohibited. The classification resulted in large part from a solo study of more than 1,300 miles (2,100 km) of rivers and streams, which he undertook by canoe and portage in the early 1970s. He was in his 60s at the time.

Petty worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression, and later served in the Navy as a pilot in the Pacific during World War II. He remained an active pilot and flight instructor into his 90s.

He left his Canton and Coreys, New York homes to the Nature Conservancy after his son Ed's lifetime tenancy.^[4]

In tribute to Clarence Petty, Adirondack Explorer magazine's Dick Beamish wrote an obituary^[5] which brought forth many letters from readers:

Dick Beamish wrote a heartfelt and profound tribute to Clarence Petty. His reference to Carol LaGrasse's (also mentioned in the New York Times obituary, referenced in the introductory paragraph) view that Clarence was "repressive and arrogant" lit a spark that deserves to be extinguished. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Clarence was a man's man and a gentleman's gentleman. He spoke out calmly and passionately for the Adirondack Park. He listened to the opinions of others and refrained from attacking their views. Even those who disagreed with him found him a man to respect.

A "Clarence Petty Great Wilderness" (of some 400,000 acres (1,600 km²) near Cranberry Lake) rings a sweet bell. That would be a deserving capstone for his dedication, perseverance, and lifelong contributions.Lowville,NY^[6]

Another letter: Ever since I subscribed to the Adirondack Explorer, the first segment I would look for would be "Questions for Clarence."

I regret never having met him and being able to thank him for the single-handed efforts that ensured that one of the most beautiful and intriguing places on this Earth would remain that way forever.

I've enclosed a check in his memory to use as you see fit to promote his causes. A foundation should be formed in his name. Let this be the start. Ballston Spa^[7]

See also

• Angus, Christopher (2002). The extraordinary Adirondack journey of Clarence Petty: wilderness guide, pilot, and conservationist. Syracuse University Press. ISBN 0815607415. http://books.google.com/books?id=ilCh6q-I8rEC. 

References

1. ^ Hevesi, Dennis (December 5, 2009). "Clarence Petty, Protector of the Adirondacks, Dies at 104". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/06/science/earth/06petty.html. Retrieved December 7, 2009. 
2. ^ The extraordinary Adirondack journey of Clarence Petty: wilderness guide, pilot, and conservationist, p.32, Christopher Angus; Syracuse University Press 2002 ISBN 0815607415
3. ^ The extraordinary Adirondack journey of Clarence Petty: wilderness guide, pilot, and conservationist, p. 68, Christopher Angus; Syracuse University Press 2002 ISBN 0815607415
4. ^ The extraordinary Adirondack journey of Clarence Petty: wilderness guide, pilot, and conservationist, p. 237, Christopher Angus; Syracuse University Press 2002 ISBN 0815607415
5. ^ http://www.adirondackexplorer.org/stories/clarence.php
6. ^ Adirondack Explorer, p. 23, March/April 2010, Vol. 12, No. 2, Saranac Lake,NY
7. ^ Adirondack Explorer, p. 23, March/April 2010, Vol. 12, No. 2, Saranac Lake,NY

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Name	Petty, Clarence
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Date of birth	August 8, 1905
Place of birth
Date of death	November 30, 2009
Place of death