Earth Day, 1990

This picture was taken on Sunday, April 22, 1990 at the Headquarters location of the International Soil and Water Conservation Society. I was serving as the Executive Director at the time and the dedication of the D.E.Hutchinson Prairie was  on Earth Day. "Hutch", as he was known, was a long time SCS conservationist in Nebraska as well as a SWCS Board Member. He was involved in the planting of some 10-12 acres of Native Grass when the Society acquired the 20 acre property near Ankeny, IA several years earlier. Hutch is at the mike in this picture and I am holding the plaque of Dedication with his picture and inscription. His wife Francis is at his right. SWCS Board Members Alice Jones Mielke, Rich Duesterhaus and Bill Brune complete the picture. Rich also spoke as SWCS intl. President. There were some 75 people in attendance. I served as MC and Marlin Edwards with Pioneer Hi Bred, the main speaker. Chuck McLaughlin, President of the Iowa Chapter, spoke and helped Bill Ferris plant a tree. Wayne Pritchard and his wife, Jim Guilliford, along with many from the Hutchinson family were also in attendance. Wayne was the first Exec. Director and served in the position for a number of years. It was an exceptional event and a "capstone" to Hutches long career in Conservation.