Abbott Fenn (1921-2015)

We at Audubon Vermont were sad to hear that Vermont lost a hero of conservation last week.    

We at Audubon Vermont were sad to hear that Vermont lost a hero of conservation last week.  Abbott Fenn of Middlebury passed away on 3 April 2015, at age 93.

Abbott had long involvement with Audubon at all levels from the National organization to his local chapter.  Decades ago, he led trips for Audubon at Everglades National Park. Here in Vermont, he was president of Otter Creek Audubon Society for four years and was president of the Vermont Audubon Council for two. Nearly 20 years ago, at the young age of 75, Abbott started and helped run the Vermont Audubon Camp at High Pond in Brandon.

For 40 years, Abby was the Associate Director and co-owner of Keewaydin Camps on Lake Dunmore and spent the rest of his year teaching in private schools in New England.  He co-founded and directed the Keewaydin Environmental Education Center from 1973 until his retirement in 1986.  A life-long birding enthusiast and committed educator, he banded birds with students and campers at the summer camp as well as during the school year and championed for birding instruction at camp right up through last summer.   In the 1980’s, along with the OCAS board, he organized wildlife festivals at Keewaydin, a precursor to Dead Creek Wildlife Day. He received the Vermont State award of the New England Environmental Education Alliance in 1986, the Silver Feather award from OCAS in 1996 (the second year it was awarded) and the Middlebury College Citizen’s Award in 2004.

Abbott was rare individual who was a passionate advocate and educator for the environment. He made sure young people had the opportunity to be outdoors and understand the connections that bind us all to our earth—a legacy which will live on.  We will miss him greatly.

 Abbott Fenn Obituary, Burlington Free Press April 5, 2015

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