IU remembers founder of Deam Wilderness

A group of environmentalists gathered at the Lilly Library to mark the donation of environmental documents to the library.

The documents were donated by the late Claude Ferguson, a tireless supporter of national wilderness preservation. He was especially active in the founding of the 30-year-old Charles Deam National Wilderness, which is only a 30-minute drive from Bloomington.

Ferguson donated Deam Wilderness documents to the Indiana Forest Alliance. The IFA then donated the documents to the Lilly Library.

As the event went on, the talk became more about Ferguson himself.

A panel of five Indiana forest activists took turns speaking about their memories of Ferguson and the forest.

The panelists included Bill Miller, an environmental activist; Lane Ralph, who drafted the bill that brought about the Deam Wilderness; and Jeff Stant, another prominent activist for forests. They all were involved in the Deam Wilderness and knew Ferguson personally.

“To talk about Ferguson and to talk about wilderness is essentially the same thing,” Stant said.

He said Ferguson loved forests and was in awe every time he was in one.

“He really wanted national wilderness to be on its own, not something so small you could see through or hear lawn mowers on the other side of,” Stant said. “It’s about saving something we came from and are a part of, not something we are masters of.”
The panelists also mentioned their views on wilderness preservation.

“I think it is time to add more land onto the Deam wilderness,” Miller said.

Environmental activist Harry Hollis warned that people should make sure to protect the wilderness and prevent clear-cutting and industrial forestry.

Hollis was also a good friend of Ferguson.

David Haberman, an IFA member and IU professor, said he hopes the event will help decide if it’s time to try and add more area to the Deam Wilderness.

He said the event was about “celebrating the wilderness we have and envisioning the wilderness we want.”