Johns Hopkins Gazette: May 8, 1995


Environmentalist Wayburn Awarded Schweitzer Prize


     California physician and longtime environmental activist
Edgar Wayburn last week was awarded the 1995 Albert Schweitzer
Prize for Humanitarianism. 

     The award, which includes a $15,000 honorarium, is presented
annually by Hopkins on behalf of the Alexander von Humboldt
Foundation. Previous honorees include Jimmy Carter and former
U.S. surgeon general C. Everett Koop.

     Dr. Wayburn, of San Francisco, was recognized for his
"dedication to improving both the human condition and the Earth's
condition," in the words of a citation read by Lore Toepfer at
last Friday's awards ceremony. Dr. Toepfer is the daughter of
Alexander von Humboldt Foundation founder Alfred Toepfer, who
created the prize in 1986.

     Dr. Wayburn's battle to preserve California's old-growth
redwood forests began in the 1950s, when he helped establish
Redwood National Park. Ultimately, more than 90,000 acres were
spared, and hundreds of acres restored. Later, Dr. Wayburn was a
key figure in the establishment of the Golden Gate National
Recreation Area. 

     As president of the national Sierra Club, Dr. Wayburn
testified often before Congress; he was influential in the
passage of the Alaska National Interests Lands Act, which
established the protection of more than 1 million acres of land.

     He began his medical career in the United States Air Force
in the 1940s, serving as a major and officer in charge of a mass
chest X-ray service in Europe. Upon his return, he served as an
internist and private practitioner in the San Francisco area; his 
affiliations include Pacific Presbyterian Medical Center, the San
Francisco Department of Public Health and Stanford Medical
School.

     The Schweitzer Prize, named for medical missionary,
theologian and musician Albert Schweitzer, was established to
honor his service to humanity and to advance humanitarianism in
the United States by recognizing similar achievements. 

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