Memorandum on conservation planning

The series consists of a copy of a 30-page typed memorandum submitted to the New York State Planning Board (Chairman C.E. Ladd) by Dr. A.H. Wright, who was apparently connected to Cornell University. Wright wrote the memo in response to a request that he supply his views and recommendations for the scientific and educational utilization of selected state land as historical, biological, geological, and cultural "treasures." The memo was uncovered in the files of the New York State Museum, which sought attribution. The memo highlights distinct localities, wildlife refuges and state conservation movements to reserve areas of the state as parks and preserves. The document was apparently used by the State Board in its planning.

Attached to the memo are two letters. The first is a request for information to Wright by Victor H. Cahalane, who became assistant director of the State Museum after working at the U.S. National Park Service. The second is Wright's reply, dated 1967, stating that he authored the memo when he worked for the National Research Council (apparently sometime before 1957).

This accession resulted from a project undertaken by Archives staff in 1997 to accession or reintegrate estrayed or unidentified records.

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the material.