Boyd Norton

Boyd Norton (born 1931, died 2023) was an American environmentalist, photographer, and author known for his advocacy for wilderness preservation and his critical examination of resource management practices. He was a vocal critic of industrial development and its impact on natural landscapes, particularly in the American West.

Norton earned a Ph.D. in physics and spent several years working in the aerospace industry before dedicating himself to environmental activism and writing. His work often combined scientific understanding with ethical and philosophical arguments for protecting wild areas.

He authored numerous books and articles, including Snake River of Hell's Canyon, Backroads of Idaho, and Ethics on the Ark: Zoos, Animal Welfare, and Wildlife Conservation. These works frequently explored the tensions between human needs and the preservation of biodiversity and wilderness values. Norton advocated for a land ethic that recognized the intrinsic value of nature, independent of its economic utility.

His contributions to the environmental movement included raising public awareness about the ecological consequences of dam construction, logging, and mining activities. He also challenged conventional approaches to wildlife management and conservation, arguing for a more holistic and ethical approach.