Environmental Defense Statement on John Sawhill

Environmental Defense executive director Fred Krupp issued the following statement today on the death of The Nature Conservancy President John Sawhill:

“We are extremely saddened today to learn of John Sawhill’s death. John Sawhill was a powerful force for conservation. He was a man of vision and purposeful tenacity. He combined in a unique and valuable way an openness to new ideas with a clear-eyed mission-based focus. He not only lifted The Nature Conservancy to new levels of achievement, he shared his managerial insights generously with his colleagues. He will be deeply missed. Environmental Defense was but one of many organizations that benefited from his wisdom and I will miss his friendship and guidance.

“John was unique among environmental leaders in his ability to bring disparate forces together to forge solutions to environmental problems. If not for John’s leadership this country would not currently enjoy the millions of acres the The Nature Conservancy has acquired and preserved under his leadership.

“I wish to express my condolences and those of Environmental Defense to John’s family and everyone who worked with him at The Nature Conservancy. His passing is not only a loss to the environmental community but indeed to the nation.”