Description
The Elmer C. Aldrich papers collection consists of field notes, publication reprints, artwork, photographs, specimen catalogs,
syllabi, newspaper clippings, and various personal papers from the Elmer Aldrich Estate. The collection contains Aldrich's
personal collection of reprints from many publications ranging from 1894-1994. In addition to the reprints and personal papers,
the collection also contains two volumes of field notes from 1935-1938 and a watercolor painting of the Life Sciences Building
at the University of California, Berkeley done by Aldrich's wife, Jane Nold. The Aldrich papers also contain a folder of Allan
Brooks, a wildlife artist, materials.
Background
Elmer Clare Aldrich, born in 1914, was a student of the University of California, Berkeley for both his B.A. and M.A. in Biological
Science. In the 1930s, he studied under the first Director of the Museum of Vertebrate zoology at Berkeley, Joseph Grinnell.
Aldrich considered Grinnell a lifelong mentor and huge influence on his work. His life’s work revolved around conservation
and protection of wildlife areas, particularly in his home of Sacramento. Throughout his career he served as a Wildlife Technician
and Ranger Naturalist and was a longtime employee of the California State Parks and Recreation Department. He was also a member
of the California Conservation Council, California Natural Areas Coordinating Council, as well as the Advisory Committee for
California Significant Natural Areas Program under the Department of Fish and Game. Additionally he served on the Board of
Directors of the Sierra Club and the Audubon Society and was president of the Sacramento Audubon Society. Notably, he also
served as a Photographic Officer in the Navy during WWII and saw and photographed the devastation at Pearl Harbor. His most
deeply-cherished achievement, however, was the conceptualization and realization of the American River Parkway, which is now
a 23 mile parkway running throughout Sacramento County. He was instrumental in the Save the American River Association and
remained so until his death at age 95 in Sacramento. Aldrich remained a part of the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology community
throughout his entire life and even spoke on the experience of working with Joseph Grinnell as a young graduate student during
the MVZ’s 100th anniversary celebration in 2008 at age 93.
References
“Aldrich, Elmer C.” Sacramento Bee [Sacramento, CA] 12 May 2010.
Frost, Garrison. “Elmer Aldrich will be greatly missed.” Audublog. 19 May 2010. Web. 17 July 2013. <http://www.audublog.org/?p=3862>
Restrictions
Copyright restrictions may apply. All requests to publish, quote, or reproduce must be submitted to the Museum of Vertebrate
Zoology Archives in writing for approval. Please contact the Museum Archivist for further information.
Availability
The collection is open for research.