Jean Starkweather

1989

Environment

Jean Starkweather worked for many years to preserve the beauty and natural features of Marin County. One person commented, “Anytime there is a public hearing on an issue that will affect the environment, Jean Starkweather is present, both with information and a readiness to take action.”

Ms. Starkweather worked on preservation and restoration of wetland habitats, and taught classes and led fieldtrips for children and adults to further their knowledge and enjoyment of the natural environment. Acting on her firm belief that natural resources are valuable community resources, and that people must work to protect them, she insisted, “The quality of the community is dependent on the people getting involved in it”.

Among her many civic activities, Ms. Starkweather was President of Marin Audubon and the Marin Conservation League, and a long term docent and board member of Audubon Canyon Ranch. As a member of the Marin County Parks, Open Space and Cultural Commission, she served as Commission Chair for two years, and worked on issues in county parks and open space, and on the extension of bicycle paths and routes throughout the county.

Ms. Starkweather is the recipient of the 1979 Environmental Award from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in recognition of her outstanding environmental contributions to the Bay Area. She continued to serve on the MCL Board of Directors while remaining active on several committees. She served as MCL President from 1993-95, and received the Marin Green Award from MCL in 1998. Ms. Starkweather was particularly known for her knowledge of San Rafael shoreline ecology, her habitat restoration work in that area and her suggestions regarding San Francisco Bay Trail design.