My family suffered an incredible
loss on August 4th, when my nephew
died due to an accident. In Gregor y
Friedman's passing at just 27 years, the
world was denied so much beauty and
promise. I 'm deeply grateful to the
many people who donated to Conser
-
vation Northwest in his memory. Car-
rying on to protect nature, which was
dear to Greg, is all I can think to do.
More than 1,200 people came from
across the country to celebrate Greg's life.
ey included the woman who he was
about to engage, the sensei who trained
him to win national karate champion
-
ships as a boy, his fraternity brothers from
Tulane University, and the entire football team from where his
legend stands a decade on. We heard tear-soaked stories from
lifelong friends who revered Greg for his wit, humility, artistry,
and deep intellect, and counted on him for his thoughtful per
-
spective. He was kind and attentive to all. e event spiked
sales of Daniel Quinn's Ishmael, Greg's favorite book, which
explores the human relationship with nature. He shared vio-
lent video games with his contemporaries, symphony with my
mom, and classic poems with my dad.
My family is enduring great pain from this loss. I lament
the many more talks, hikes and games we should have shared.
But I treasure many personal memories and value that a life
cut so short was yet so full and le such an indelible mark.
Greg lives on in the lives he touched and exemplary trail he
blazed.
A life cut short, but an
exemplary trail blazed
Mitch Friedman Executive Director, mitch@conservationnw.org
REMEMBRANCE FOR GREGORY FRIEDMAN
Brad McRae, ecologist and conservationist, beloved
husband, father, brother, and friend, passed away on July
13. Brad was a postdoctoral fellow at the National Center
for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis, and worked for the
remainder of his career for The Nature Conservancy. Brad
pioneered the use of circuit theory to model connectivity
and gene flow across fragmented landscapes, which is now
used in conservation planning around the world.
Everyone who knew Brad was impressed with his intel-
ligence, humor, thoughtfulness, integrity, and steadfast
commitment to family, friends and conserving the natural
world. He leaves us too soon and will be dearly missed. He
is survived by his wife and two children.
Conservation colleagues Brad McRae and Gwen Barlee
remembered
–submitted by Joe Scott, Dave Werntz and the Conservation Northwest staff
Keeping the Northwest wild Fall 2017 15
Gwen Barlee. Activist. Ally. Mentor. Leader. Friend. As
National Policy Director of the Wilderness Committee for
more than 15 years, Gwen Barlee guided both that organiza-
tion and its community of allies through many hard-fought
environmental campaigns.
Wild rivers, forests, meadows, all creatures big and small
including western toads, mountain caribou, sage grouse,
killer whales, spotted owls, and bees—these were Gwen's
passions. She stood for the public good defending parks
and waterways against all those who would exploit them for
personal profit. Her loss has left a hole in our hearts. But
her positive impact on environmental preservation in British
Columbia is undeniable. Through the Gwen Barlee Memorial
Fund, her legacy will continue.
Mitch and his nephew, Greg.
Inside Conservation Northwest
