Claudia Alta Taylor "Lady Bird" Johnson

Lady Bird Johnson was an iconic figure in conservation, helping shift the focus from aesthetics to ecological stewardship. She was the driving force behind the Highway Beautification Act of 1965, lobbying Congress to limit billboards and screen junkyards. She also supported a number of other federal conservation initiatives, including the Wilderness Act (1964), Land and Water Conservation Fund (1965), and the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (1968). After leaving Washington and returning to Texas, starting in 1971, she championed the 10-mile Butler hike-and-bike trail that circles Lady Bird Lake in downtown Austin. In 1982, she contributed land, money, and leadership to establish the National Wildflower Center and promote native plant conservation, sustainable landscaping, and the preservation of biological diversity.