Clarence Adelbert Petty (August 8, 1905 – November 30, 2009) was an American

forest ranger A ranger, park ranger, park warden, field ranger, or forest ranger is a person entrusted with protecting and preserving parklands and protected areas – private, national, state, provincial, or local parks. Their duties include (but are not limi ...

, conservationist, and

outdoorsman Outdoor recreation or outdoor activity refers to recreation done outside, most commonly in natural settings. The activities that encompass outdoor recreation vary depending on the physical environment they are being carried out in. These activitie ...

. A Supervising Forest Ranger in the

Adirondack Forest Preserve New York's Forest Preserve comprises almost all the lands owned by the state of New York within the Adirondack and Catskill parks. It is managed by the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). , the Forest Preserve covers nearl ...

, Petty is best known for his advocacy supporting protection of the

Adirondack Park The Adirondack Park is a park in northeastern New York (state), New York protecting the Adirondack Mountains. The park was established in 1892 for "the free use of all the people for their health and pleasure", and for watershed protection. At , ...

. Petty graduated from Saranac Lake High School in 1925, struggling with mathematics. In the same year, he matriculated into the forestry program at the New York State College of Forestry at Syracuse University. Again struggling in college, he was given a job to teach the use of a transit

theodolite A theodolite () is a precision optical instrument for measuring angles between designated visible points in the horizontal and vertical planes. The traditional use has been for land surveying, but it is also used extensively for building and ...

and survey equipment, despite the fact that he initially barely understood these instruments himself. Teaching others helped Petty develop both a better understanding of surveying and a better appreciation for social interactions. He graduated in June 1930. One of his enduring legacies is the classification of land in the Park as either forest or wilderness; this classification determines permitted uses. In wilderness areas, motor vehicle access is very limited; snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, seaplanes, and motorboats are prohibited. The classification resulted in large part from his study of more than of rivers and streams, a project he undertook by

canoe A canoe is a lightweight, narrow watercraft, water vessel, typically pointed at both ends and open on top, propelled by one or more seated or kneeling paddlers facing the direction of travel and using paddles. In British English, the term ' ...

and portage in the early 1970s, when he was in his sixties. Petty worked for the

Civilian Conservation Corps The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was a voluntary government unemployment, work relief program that ran from 1933 to 1942 in the United States for unemployed, unmarried men ages 18–25 and eventually expanded to ages 17–28. The CCC was ...

during the

Great Depression The Great Depression was a severe global economic downturn from 1929 to 1939. The period was characterized by high rates of unemployment and poverty, drastic reductions in industrial production and international trade, and widespread bank and ...

and served in the

Navy A navy, naval force, military maritime fleet, war navy, or maritime force is the military branch, branch of a nation's armed forces principally designated for naval warfare, naval and amphibious warfare; namely, lake-borne, riverine, littoral z ...

as a pilot in the

Pacific The Pacific Ocean is the largest and deepest of Earth's five oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic Ocean in the north to the Southern Ocean, or, depending on the definition, to Antarctica in the south, and is bounded by the cont ...

during

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

. He remained an active

flight instructor A flight instructor is a person who teaches others to operate aircraft. Specific privileges granted to holders of a flight instructor qualification vary from country to country, but very generally, a flight instructor serves to enhance or evaluate ...

the airport "The Airport" is the 52nd episode of the sitcom ''Seinfeld''. It is the 12th episode of the fourth season and aired on November 25, 1992 on NBC. This episode centers on Jerry's and Elaine's differing experiences in first class and coach on t ...

Potsdam, New York Potsdam is a Administrative divisions of New York#Town, town in St. Lawrence County, New York, United States. The town population was 14,901 at the 2020 census. When the State University of New York at Potsdam and Clarkson University are in sess ...

until the age of 94, and maintained an active pilot's license until the age of 96. He bequeathed his homes in

Canton, New York Canton is an incorporated Administrative divisions of New York#Town, town in St. Lawrence County, New York, United States. The population was 11,638 at the time of the 2020 census. The town contains two Administrative divisions of New York#Villa ...

and Coreys, New York, (a hamlet in Franklin County) to the

Nature Conservancy The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is a global environmental organization headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, United States. it works via affiliates or branches in 79 countries and territories, as well as across every state in the US. Founded in ...

after his son Ed's lifetime tenancy.

Accolades

In tribute, ''Adirondack Explorer'' magazine's Dick Beamish wrote an obituary for Petty.Beamish, Dick. (2010, March/April).
''Adirondack Explorer'' 12 (2): 23. Saranac Lake, NY. He wrote that "In reference to heview (mentioned in the ''New York Times'' obituary) that Clarence was 'repressive and arrogant'... Nothing could be further from the truth." which brought forth many letters from readers. Portions of resulting submissions follow. * "Clarence was a man's man and a gentleman's gentleman. He spoke out calmly and passionately for the Adirondack Park. He listened to the opinions of others and refrained from attacking their views. Even those who disagreed with him found him a man to respect." * "A 'Clarence Petty Great Wilderness' (of some near Cranberry Lake) rings a sweet bell. That would be a deserving capstone for his dedication, perseverance, and lifelong contributions." * "Ever since I subscribed to the 'Adirondack Explorer', the first segment I would look for would be 'Questions for Clarence.'" * "I regret never having met him and being able to thank him for the single-handed efforts that ensured that one of the most beautiful and intriguing places on this Earth would remain that way forever." * "I've enclosed a check in his memory to use as you see fit to promote his causes. A foundation should be formed in his name. Let this be the start." Ballston Spa

Notes

References

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Petty, Clarence 1905 births 2009 deaths State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry alumni American foresters Adirondack Park Civilian Conservation Corps people People from Saranac Lake, New York American men centenarians Scientists from New York (state)