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.