John Dewey Soper (1890-1956) was an American naturalist, explorer, and conservationist who dedicated his life to the study of wildlife and the preservation of nature. He was born in Wisconsin and grew up in the Midwest, where he developed a deep appreciation for the outdoors. He attended the University of Wisconsin and graduated with a degree in zoology in 1912.
After college, Soper traveled to Alaska and spent several years exploring the wilderness and studying the wildlife. He was particularly interested in the birds of the region, and he wrote several books about his experiences, including “Birds of Alaska” (1917) and “Birds of the Yukon” (1919). He also wrote a book about his travels in the Arctic, “The Land of the Midnight Sun” (1921).
In the 1920s, Soper began to focus more on conservation and the protection of wildlife. He was a founding member of the National Audubon Society and served as its president from 1924 to 1926. He was also a founding member of the Wilderness Society and served as its president from 1929 to 1931. During this time, he worked to establish national parks and wildlife refuges, and he was instrumental in the passage of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.
In the 1930s, Soper continued his work in conservation and wildlife protection. He was a leader in the establishment of the National Wildlife Refuge System, and he was a major proponent of the Endangered Species Act of 1973. He also wrote several books about conservation, including “Wildlife Conservation” (1935) and “Wildlife in America” (1939).
In the 1940s, Soper shifted his focus to the study of ecology. He wrote several books on the subject, including “The Ecology of Nature” (1941) and “The Ecology of Man” (1944). He also wrote a book about the importance of preserving wilderness areas, “The Wilderness and Its Preservation” (1947).
In the 1950s, Soper continued to work on conservation and ecology. He wrote several books on the subject, including “The Ecology of Nature” (1951) and “The Ecology of Man” (1954). He also wrote a book about the importance of preserving wilderness areas, “The Wilderness and Its Preservation” (1957).
Throughout his life, Soper was a passionate advocate for the preservation of nature and wildlife. He was a major figure in the development of the modern conservation movement, and his work had a lasting impact on the way we view and protect the environment. He was a true pioneer in the field of ecology, and his legacy lives on today.