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Scott, Walter E. 1911 - 1983 | Wisconsin Historical Society

Historical Essay

Scott, Walter E. 1911 - 1983

Scott, Walter E. 1911 - 1983 | Wisconsin Historical Society
Dictionary of Wisconsin History.

Conservationist, preservationist and writer, b. February 27, 1911. Trained as biologist, graduating from Kalamazoo College in Michigan in 1933, Scott later obtained graduate degrees in philosophy and political science from the University of Wisconsin in 1955 and 1965.  He served in the U.S. Army from 1943-1946. From 1941 to 1974, Scott supervised Wisconsin's "Champion Trees" program, which he originated.  His interest in ornithology led him to help form the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology.  He also helped to organize Historic Madison, Inc. and served as editor, with his wife Gertrude, of the Wisconsin Academy Review. In a nearly 40 year career with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and its predecessor, the Wisconsin Conservation Department, Scott served as game warden, a game management supervisor and administrative assistant to the Dept.'s secretary. 
A prolific writer, Scott published hundreds of articles on subjects ranging from water resources and conservation administration, to the history of lumbering, hunting and fishing in Wisconsin.  He grew many species of trees at home and had a library of over 5000 books that were given to libraries around the state before his death.
Scott was awarded the 1981 Gordon McQuarrie award, the 1967 American Motors Conservation Award, the 1975 Wisconsin Wildlife Federation Conservationist of the Year, the 1975 University of Wisconsin Outstanding Environmentalist Ward, and the 1975 Distinguished Service Award of the Wisconsin Natural Resources Council, as well as awards from the Izaak Walton League, the Dane County Conservation League and the Nature Conservancy. Scott died June 25, 1983.

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[Source: ¿Tribute to Walter Scott,¿ Wisconsin Academy Review, vol. 27, no. 3, June 1981; Obituary, Wisconsin State Journal, June 26, 1983.]