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Jan Garton

In Memoriam

Jan Garton died this morning in Manhattan. Jan Garton was vital in conservation of Cheyenne Bottoms in the 1980s when the water rights of that internationally important resource were threatened--and it appeared that the future for this unique area was destined to be a largely and usually dry remnant of a once great wetland. Jan Garton, with the partnership of Sil Pembleton, and others including Joyce Wolf led a statewide campaign to restore priority water rights for Cheyenne Bottoms. Jan devoted at least a decade, working as a volunteer advocate day and night, to Cheyenne Bottoms.

Success was achieved in the Kansas Legislature, with a succession of governors--and in the critical legal battles that equally involved the Kansas Wildlife Federation. In 1990 Jan Garton was honored with a prestigious Chevron Conservation Award, the third Kansan to be recognized with a Chevron Conservation Award, the country’s oldest private conservation award program judged by a panel of independent conservationists. The award was originally created by the late outdoor writer Ed Zern in 1954.

In a multi-faceted campaign, one of the most novel ideas that Jan advanced was development of “Save Our Bottoms” seat pads presented to all members of the state legislature. They were attractively designed to serve as a constant reminder of Cheyenne Bottoms. Bumper stickers with the similar message have only recently vanished as the many vehicles that displayed them have been retired.

I thought of Jan Garton and Sil Pembleton on Saturday while visiting the Wetlands Visitor Center at Cheyenne Bottoms. One of the things usually missing from official display is the vital role of public citizen conservation advocates in pushing governmental agencies and lobbying other institutions to do the right thing to protect our natural heritage of wetlands, wildlife, prairies, rivers and more. As a leader for the Kansas Audubon Council and the Northern Flint Hills Audubon Society, Jan provided the passion and intellect that was the catalyst for turning the fate of Cheyenne Bottoms from one of dryland fields to a wonderfully managed wetland complex.

I wish Jan could have been there to have seen all of the Whooping Cranes that called Cheyenne Bottoms and Quivira home this past weekend. Her spirit will undoubtedly be under the wings of the magnificant birds as they lift in the thermals when they prepare to continue their migration.

If Kansas, like Missouri, ever develops a conservation hall of fame, I trust that Jan will be honored with a plaque—and an accompanying “Save the Bottoms” seat cushion in a case nearby.

Jan grew up near Chapman. She has a brother, James Garton of Tulsa and sister, Marci Garton of Albuquerque, N.M

 

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