Karin Sheldon joined EARTHWORKS Board of Directors in 1994, has been the chair of the board from 2001-2010, and is currently the Executive Director of Western Resource Advocates.
I had the honor of serving on the board of Earthworks (then called Mineral Policy Center) when Stewart Udall was Chair. I was enthralled by his stories of the battles to create new national parks and monuments, protect migrating salmon from massive dams, and preserve wilderness.
Secretary Udall promoted reform of the Mining Law throughout his career and long after retiring from public office. He was also committed to the appropriate control of unbridled oil and gas development, and the protection of our historic, archeological and cultural treasures.
Stewart Udall was the consummate Westerner, with a Westerner’s deep connection to the landscapes, people and history of the region. He was handsome, courtly and charming with wry sense of humor and absolute zest for life.
Stewart Udall was a member of Congress and in charge of the sprawling Department of the Interior at a time when environmental protection was a bi-partisan issue. He and an array of Democratic and Republican colleagues recognized that the wealth of natural resources of America belong to all, a shared inheritance of value and beauty requiring stewardship and conservation.
Throughout his long life he worked to realize this vision.
