death_date death_place children birth_place name birth_date known_for spouse article_title birth_name occupation
8 march 2011 nevada city , california erik olmsted , alden olmsted los angeles , california john olmsted march 2 , 1938 founding jug handle state natural reserve , cross california ecological trail the , independence trail , yuba -lrb- colgate -rrb- powerhouse , california earth planet museum institute of man in nature , priscilla dahlgren , sally cates john olmsted
 john de vaux olmsted conservationist oakland museum , naturalist , botanist , strybing arboretum ,
john olmsted

john d. olmsted -lrb- march 2 , 1938 -- march 8 , 2011 -rrb- was a california naturalist and conservationist most famous for creating the independence trail in nevada city , california , as well as helping to save numerous other parcels across california , from jug handle state natural reserve near casper , california to the bridgeport covered bridge .
his efforts and vision of a park at bridgeport led to the creation of the south yuba river state park , a 39-mile length of nationally protected wild and scenic land along the south yuba river in nevada county , california .
olmsted patterned his life after that of fellow environmentalist john muir , with his trademark beard , formal clothing , and poetic and spiritual leanings towards the benefits of time spent in nature .
he founded the earth planet museum in grass valley as a tribute to john muir , environmentalism in california , and as a visual history of recorded audio and alternate technologies .
during his time in mendocino he worked with hans jenny in recognizing and preserving the pygmy forest , which is located within the boundaries of jug handle .
his dream of a cross-california hiking trail remains the focus and goal of his devoted followers .
he was a resident of nevada city , california , and is survived by his two sons , erik olmsted and alden olmsted .
