1. Education

2. Career

3. Awards and legacy

4. References

Therese Tartlon "Terry" Hershey (19 January 1923 – 19 January 2017) was a conservationist and environmentalist.^[1][2] Hershey took part in the environmental movement in Texas, by preventing the channelization of the Buffalo Bayou river in Houston and she became known as the "savior of the Buffalo Bayou River".

Education

Hershey studied in Stephens College for Women in Columbia, Missouri and earned her B.A degree of fine arts in philosophy at the University of Texas in 1943.^[2]

Career

After Hershey moved to Houston with her husband in 1966, Hershey became aware of the channelization and the degradation of the vegetation in the upper part of the Buffalo Bayou river.^[3][4] Hershey and other citizens of Houston visited the area, where they discovered that nine acres of trees had been cut down and tires were being burned in the same area. She believed that the river's destruction was due to the United States Army Corps of Engineers and along with several volunteers, sent pictures they had taken of the concrete Bayous to their congressman, George Bush Sr.. In response Bush invited Hershey to speak before the Appropriations Sub-committee, where she could request an evaluation of the work being done at the river, as well as offer suggestions of new technologies to deal with flood control.^[3][5]

Hershey then joined the Buffalo Bayou Preservation Association, where she formed and conducted the Buffalo Bayou campaign in the mid-1960s in order to discontinue the Army Corps Engineers activities that were harming the river.This campaign lasted from 1967 to its successful conclusion in 1971. Hershey's actions are credited as not only saving the river, but also bringing the Houston community's attention to environmental issues.^[3]

Awards and legacy

Hershey was member of groups, clubs and organizations that were interested in environmental issues and she served as an advocate for protecting parks in Houston.^[3] When her parents passed away she donated the property to the city of Forth Worth and it is now the "Wright-Tartlon Park".^[4] Hershey also founded organizations such as the Buffalo Bayou Preservation Association, Harris County Flood Control Task Force, Citizens Who Care, The Citizens Environmental Coalition, The Park People and Urban Harvest.^[6][5] Due to her determination and efforts, Texas has many acres of land that are being protected by conservation easements.

Hershey was awarded the Pugsley Medal in 2003 by the American Academy for Park & Recreation Administration and she was described by her peers as a "force of nature" for her impressive works in Houston and for being a remarkable advocate in bringing people together to resolve environmental issues.^[4] Hershey also received other awards such as the prestigious Chevron Conservation Award and the Frances K. Hutchison Award.^[6]

In 1991, the Buffalo Bayou Park was renamed the Terry Hershey Park due to her conservation efforts.^[3]

In 1994, a Terry Hershey Award of Excellence was formed by the Department of Recreation and Tourism Sciences from the Texas A&M University, and it was formed in order to recognize the contributions and improvements to the development of recreation, parks and tourism by a practitioner, board member, elected official or volunteer.^[7] Terry Hershey was the first recipient.

References

• Marathea, Karditsa
• Marathea (Karditsa), Greece
• Marathefriko
• Maratheftiko
• Mara the Lioness
• Mara the lioness
• Marathia (Eurytania), Greece
• Marathia, Evrytania
• Marathia (Ilia), Greece
• Marathia (Karditsa), Greece
• Marathia (Vlachorapti), Arcadia
• Marathia (Vlahorapti), Arcadia
• Marathia (Vlahorrapti), Arcadia
• Marathi cinema
• Marathi grammar
• Marathi-language television
• Marathi people
• Marathi phonology
• Marathi poetry
• Marathi television
• Marathiá (Ilia), Greece
• Marathiá, Kardítsa
• Marathiá (Kardítsa), Greece
• Marathiá (Vlachorrápti), Arcadia
• Marathiá (Vlachorápti), Arcadia