Clarence Cottam

Clarence Cottam was a biologist, conservationist and professor, who taught at Brigham Young University, served on the U.S. Biological Survey (later known as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service), and in 1955 came to Texas to organize and lead the Rob and Bessie Welder Wildlife Foundation and Refuge, where he worked until his death in 1974. He was involved in research on DDT (which was cited by Rachel Carson), advocated for the creation of the Padre Island National Seashore and expansion of the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, and promoted efforts to restore the whooping crane, bald eagle and brown pelican. During his career, he published widely, and served as president of the Wildlife Society of America, Texas Ornithological Society and the National Parks Association.