Dr. Ward B. Stone was the New York State wildlife pathologist for 41 years, focusing on PCB contamination. He was also the greatest advocate for citizen environmental activists in New York history.
When we were fighting the Constitution Pipeline. A retired DEC guy would show up once in a while, at some of the early meetings in Sidney. People would whisper in my ear that he was a rare guy, a true champion of the environment.
It was Ward Stone who first alerted the NoSpray Coalition against pesticides in 2000 that a huge number of birds were being killed not from West Nile Virus itself but from the pesticides being sprayed to kill mosquitoes as well as industrial pollution caused by oil refineries. NoSprayers Jim West and Roy Doremus trucked up to Albany to visit Stone in his government offices and videotaped him there. Ward's assessments became a key part of NoSpray's lawsuit against New York City government, which we won on the key point in 2006 and achieved an important settlement with the City the following year.
Thanks for the tribute. He was wonderful in helping me investigate a horse death 20 years ago. I was impressed then by his understanding, educating, humanity and compassion. Visited him several times in his lab. An inspiration that will be missed.
I think I may have met him once or twice.
When we were fighting the Constitution Pipeline. A retired DEC guy would show up once in a while, at some of the early meetings in Sidney. People would whisper in my ear that he was a rare guy, a true champion of the environment.
RIP. thanks for your memorial, Eric.
that sounds about right -- though eminently approachable...and yes, a bit of a centaur.
READER COMMENT
It was Ward Stone who first alerted the NoSpray Coalition against pesticides in 2000 that a huge number of birds were being killed not from West Nile Virus itself but from the pesticides being sprayed to kill mosquitoes as well as industrial pollution caused by oil refineries. NoSprayers Jim West and Roy Doremus trucked up to Albany to visit Stone in his government offices and videotaped him there. Ward's assessments became a key part of NoSpray's lawsuit against New York City government, which we won on the key point in 2006 and achieved an important settlement with the City the following year.
Thank you, Ward Stone.
- Mitchel Cohen
Thanks for the tribute. He was wonderful in helping me investigate a horse death 20 years ago. I was impressed then by his understanding, educating, humanity and compassion. Visited him several times in his lab. An inspiration that will be missed.
Eric Francis,
What a Touching Remembrance, of your Friend & Collegue, Dr. Ward B. Stone.
I think He had A Great Influence on Your Own Work & Sturdy Methodologies, Toward Protecting both People & The Environment.
From Heaven, I am sure He has Read Your Thoughtful Words of Honour.
WELL DONE !
Blessings,
To You, Both.
~Emmeline T.
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A hero! Will be sadly missed. Thanks for informing us, Eric.