Clarence Petty
Encyclopedia
Clarence Adelbert Petty was a supervising forest ranger in the Adirondack Forest Preserve, conservationist, and avid outdoorsman well-known for his advocacy of protection of the Adirondack Park.
Clarence graduated from Saranac Lake High School
in 1925 having struggled terribly with math. In that same year, 1925, he matriculated in the forestry program at the New York State College of Forestry in Syracuse,NY while his older brother Bill entered Cornell University
to study forestry. These two colleges had competed for the "crown" of state college of forestry: Syracuse having won. This competition, Clarence remembered twenty years after the fact, produced a ferocious booing at football games between the two colleges
The course at the forestry college at Syracuse was physically tough in order to give the students the "feel" of life as a lumberjack
. Reveille
was at 6 a.m. for chore duty such as sawing or splitting firewood until the breakfast bell rang at seven. Every morning at 8 o'clock, regardless of weather, the all male forestry students went into the woods to study subjects such as silviculture
, dendrology
, mensuration, surveying
, etc. At college, Clarence continued to struggle with math but during his junior year was surprised to be given a paying job teaching the use of a transit Theodolite
and survey equipment which he could barely understand himself. Teaching others, helped Clarence to better understand surveying and to better appreciate social interactions. He graduated in June of 1930
One of his enduring legacies is the classification of land in the Park as either forest or wilderness, a classification that determines what uses are permitted. In wilderness areas, almost no motor vehicle access is allowed, with snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, seaplanes, and motorboats completely prohibited. The classification resulted in large part from a solo study of more than 1300 miles (2,092.1 km) of rivers and streams, which he undertook by canoe and portage in the early 1970s. He was in his 60s at the time.
Petty worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps
during the Great Depression
, and later served in the Navy
as a pilot in the Pacific
during World War II
. He remained an active pilot and flight instructor into his 90s.
He left his Canton and Coreys, New York homes to the Nature Conservancy after his son Ed's lifetime tenancy.
In tribute to Clarence Petty, Adirondack Explorer magazine's Dick Beamish wrote an obituary which brought forth many letters from readers:
Dick Beamish wrote a heartfelt and profound tribute to Clarence Petty. His reference to Carol LaGrasse's (also mentioned in the New York Times obituary, referenced in the introductory paragraph) view that Clarence was "repressive and arrogant" lit a spark that deserves to be extinguished. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Clarence was a man's man and a gentleman's gentleman. He spoke out calmly and passionately for the Adirondack Park. He listened to the opinions of others and refrained from attacking their views. Even those who disagreed with him found him a man to respect.
A "Clarence Petty Great Wilderness" (of some 400000 acres (1,618.7 km²) near Cranberry Lake) rings a sweet bell. That would be a deserving capstone for his dedication, perseverance, and lifelong contributions.Lowville,NY
Another letter: Ever since I subscribed to the Adirondack Explorer, the first segment I would look for would be "Questions for Clarence."
I regret never having met him and being able to thank him for the single-handed efforts that ensured that one of the most beautiful and intriguing places on this Earth would remain that way forever.
I've enclosed a check in his memory to use as you see fit to promote his causes. A foundation should be formed in his name. Let this be the start. Ballston Spa
Clarence graduated from Saranac Lake High School
Saranac Lake High School
Saranac Lake High School is located in the village of Saranac Lake, New York, USA. There are approximately 640 students in grades 9 through 12. It is administered by the Saranac Lake Central School District. The school is housed in a building, completed in 1968. The school colors are red and...
in 1925 having struggled terribly with math. In that same year, 1925, he matriculated in the forestry program at the New York State College of Forestry in Syracuse,NY while his older brother Bill entered Cornell University
Cornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
to study forestry. These two colleges had competed for the "crown" of state college of forestry: Syracuse having won. This competition, Clarence remembered twenty years after the fact, produced a ferocious booing at football games between the two colleges
The course at the forestry college at Syracuse was physically tough in order to give the students the "feel" of life as a lumberjack
Lumberjack
A lumberjack is a worker in the logging industry who performs the initial harvesting and transport of trees for ultimate processing into forest products. The term usually refers to a bygone era when hand tools were used in harvesting trees principally from virgin forest...
. Reveille
Reveille
"Reveille" is a bugle call, trumpet call or pipes call most often associated with the military or summer camp; it is chiefly used to wake military personnel at sunrise...
was at 6 a.m. for chore duty such as sawing or splitting firewood until the breakfast bell rang at seven. Every morning at 8 o'clock, regardless of weather, the all male forestry students went into the woods to study subjects such as silviculture
Silviculture
Silviculture is the practice of controlling the establishment, growth, composition, health, and quality of forests to meet diverse needs and values. The name comes from the Latin silvi- + culture...
, dendrology
Dendrology
Dendrology or xylology is the science and study of wooded plants . There is no sharp boundary between plant taxonomy and dendrology. However, woody plants not only belong to many different plant families, but these families may be made up of both woody and non-woody members. Some families include...
, mensuration, surveying
Surveying
See Also: Public Land Survey SystemSurveying or land surveying is the technique, profession, and science of accurately determining the terrestrial or three-dimensional position of points and the distances and angles between them...
, etc. At college, Clarence continued to struggle with math but during his junior year was surprised to be given a paying job teaching the use of a transit Theodolite
Theodolite
A theodolite is a precision instrument for measuring angles in the horizontal and vertical planes. Theodolites are mainly used for surveying applications, and have been adapted for specialized purposes in fields like metrology and rocket launch technology...
and survey equipment which he could barely understand himself. Teaching others, helped Clarence to better understand surveying and to better appreciate social interactions. He graduated in June of 1930
One of his enduring legacies is the classification of land in the Park as either forest or wilderness, a classification that determines what uses are permitted. In wilderness areas, almost no motor vehicle access is allowed, with snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, seaplanes, and motorboats completely prohibited. The classification resulted in large part from a solo study of more than 1300 miles (2,092.1 km) of rivers and streams, which he undertook by canoe and portage in the early 1970s. He was in his 60s at the time.
Petty worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps
Civilian Conservation Corps
The Civilian Conservation Corps was a public work relief program that operated from 1933 to 1942 in the United States for unemployed, unmarried men from relief families, ages 18–25. A part of the New Deal of President Franklin D...
during the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
, and later served in the Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
as a pilot in the Pacific
Pacific Ocean theater of World War II
The Pacific Ocean theatre was one of four major naval theatres of war of World War II, which pitted the forces of Japan against those of the United States, the British Commonwealth, the Netherlands and France....
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. He remained an active pilot and flight instructor into his 90s.
He left his Canton and Coreys, New York homes to the Nature Conservancy after his son Ed's lifetime tenancy.
In tribute to Clarence Petty, Adirondack Explorer magazine's Dick Beamish wrote an obituary which brought forth many letters from readers:
Dick Beamish wrote a heartfelt and profound tribute to Clarence Petty. His reference to Carol LaGrasse's (also mentioned in the New York Times obituary, referenced in the introductory paragraph) view that Clarence was "repressive and arrogant" lit a spark that deserves to be extinguished. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Clarence was a man's man and a gentleman's gentleman. He spoke out calmly and passionately for the Adirondack Park. He listened to the opinions of others and refrained from attacking their views. Even those who disagreed with him found him a man to respect.
A "Clarence Petty Great Wilderness" (of some 400000 acres (1,618.7 km²) near Cranberry Lake) rings a sweet bell. That would be a deserving capstone for his dedication, perseverance, and lifelong contributions.Lowville,NY
Another letter: Ever since I subscribed to the Adirondack Explorer, the first segment I would look for would be "Questions for Clarence."
I regret never having met him and being able to thank him for the single-handed efforts that ensured that one of the most beautiful and intriguing places on this Earth would remain that way forever.
I've enclosed a check in his memory to use as you see fit to promote his causes. A foundation should be formed in his name. Let this be the start. Ballston Spa