Digest #8

In this digest:

1) Charles Waterton - Questions & Answers - Part 3

2) More from New Zealand

1)*************************************

In this digest we conclude the story of Charles Waterton after whom Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada is named. (By the way he never did visit this part of the world. - The first parts on this amazing man can be found on in digests 5 & 7 at the Historic -Trails Archives on the Explorers of the West home page at http://www.ourheritage.net)

Describe the world's first nature reserve.

Waterton began in the 1820's by building a high wall all around the estate. This was to mark the boundaries and keep out poachers and all those who, in common with most nineteenth century landowners, preferred to shoot birds such as owls and herons rather than study them.

Within the estate at Walton there already existed woodland, a lake and some mixed farmland. These were natural attractions for wildlife which Waterton aimed to improve through careful management. He planted appropriate trees and shrubs. He wrote "I am very partial to the holly, the yew and the ivy. They give both food and shelter to the birds, whilst their charming green foliage makes us almost forget that winter has set in". As well as recording how the older trees in the park provided nesting sites, he altered some of the decaying stumps into elaborate 'nest boxes'. Elsewhere he built a tall tower for birds to nest in and placed pipes in a wall for sandmartins.

As an environmentalist, were his struggles similar to those today?

Much worse I expect. Remember, he was alone. As the Industrial Revolution spread Waterton was constantly defending his actions.

For example, in 1846 he was dismayed to lose a court case against poachers who had seriously disturbed the wildlife when he was away in Madeira. He fought a much longer running battle after a soapworks was set up near his estate in 1839, and sent out poisonous chemicals which severely damaged the trees in the park and polluted the lake. A series of court cases between Waterton and Simpson, owner of the soapworks, were contested between 1847 and 1850 and, as a result, the soap works was eventually moved to Thornes, south of Wakefield.

How did Waterton die?

He died at home in May 1865 as a result of a fall. He was just over a week short of his 83rd birthday. He was buried at a spot that he had chosen alongside the lake between two large oak trees.

What happened to Waterton's Nature Reserve after his death?

The Waterton family's long association with Walton ended in 1877 when Charles' son Edmund sold Walton Hall to pay off his debts and buy a house in Market Deeping in Lincolnshire. Edmund was very different from his father. He disliked natural history and instead was interested in antiquities. This led to him spending large sums of money on a collection of books and episcopal rings. Many of the rings were later acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

The estate fell into neglect but miraculously much has survived. As a nature reserve it ceased to be managed and protected but the landscape at Walton remains little altered today. The farmland has increased at the expense of some of the woodland, but there is still plenty of space for herons to nest, and many other animals to live undisturbed.

What happened to Waterton's collection after he died?

After Waterton's death the collection was removed from Walton Hall by his son Edmund. By the 1900's it was at Stonyhurst College, his old school, where it stayed until 1967 when it was transferred back to Wakefield on permanent loan to the Museums and Galleries.

What about the future?

Today, as a result of environmental interest worldwide there is renewed interest in Waterton and his contributions The world's first nature reserve in view of the fact that it was developed in the world's first industrial area, should be getting more and more attention as time goes on.

Where could I learn more about Waterton?

Most of the material included here is taken prepared by the Leisure Services in collaboration with the Economic Development Department, Wakefield, England. The top floor of the Wakefield Museum now houses the Charles Waterton Collection.

Waterton's most famous book was Wanderings in South America which he published in 1825 and has been in print most of the time since then. He also wrote three volumes of Essays on Natural History which were printed in 1838, 1844 and 1857 and then collected together in one volume (containing most of the essays) by Norman Moore in 1871.

A number of books have been written about Charles Waterton. The most recent and the most revealing is Charles Waterton, Traveller and Conservationist by Julia Blackburn, which was published in 1989. Also recommended is Philip Gosse The Squire of Walton Hall published in 1940.

2)*************************************

Awhile back I received this email as a result of the landmark submission found at the Explorers of the West website. Thanks Omakau School forgetting your kids involved. And I hope you are enjoying your summer hollidays. Brrr... I only wish was there. - Bruce

Explorer Sketchbook : James Hector (Skbk 7)

Landmark Name: Hector Mountains

Type of Landmark: mountain

Location: 45.16 South 168.50 East

Interesting Information:

Source: Heineman New Zealand Atlas

Submitter: Room One

School: Omakau School

Grade: Yr 6 - Yr8

Teacher: Richard Blackmore

Address: P.O. Box 20

City: Omakau

Province / State: Otago

Country: New Zealand

Postal Code: 9182

E-mail Address: omusch@es.co.nz

URL: www.es.co.nz/~omusch/home.html