Jay Norwood "Ding" Darling was a two-time Pulitzer Prize winning
political cartoonist as well as a dedicated and active conservationist.
Recognized as an influential wildlife supporter as early as the years of Teddy
Roosevelt's presidency, and continuing through the time of Franklin Roosevelt's
presidency during which time the nation's wildlife were in his charge when
Darling served as Chief of the Bureau of Biological Survey in the Department
of Agriculture, predecessor agency to the current Fish and Wildlife Service in the
Department of the Interior. During his tenure, Darling shook up the
sleepy agency with staff overhauls, vigorous law enforcement, reliance on
scientific method, and an infusion of funds it had not seen before.
In response, hunters, the sport hunting industry, and other conservationists
supported legislation to form the Wildlife Restoration Program in 1937.
Darling is responsible for the development of numerous local, state, and national
parks, wildlife, and nature reserves across the country.
Darling recieved a number of honors, including the Audubon Medal, which recognizes
individual achievement in the field of conservation and environmental protection.
To learn more about our earliest Hall of Fame member visit some of the sites
listed below.
And, if you get the chance, be sure to visit the J.N. "Ding" Darling
National Wildlife Refuge - Sanabel Island, FL
"Ding" Darling Biographical Information
Click on the URL to vitist the site.
