Winterthur near Wilmington in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Lorraine Fleming
Delaware State Parks
— Pioneer of Preservation —
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 1, 2019
Our generation has the moral obligation to make sure that future generations have open spaces to enjoy where they can refresh their spirit. — Lorraine Fleming
As a student, Lorraine Fleming and her classmates took wildflower walks through the dwindling prairie of the greater Chicago area. During those walks, Lorraine realized how important it is to protect and preserve open spaces and natural resources before they disappeared.
As an adult, that realization became a passion. In the mid-1970s, Lorraine volunteered for the Delaware Nature Society (DNS) and was later hired by the organization. This collaboration lasted until her retirement as Associate Director nearly 30 years later. During that time, she wrote Delaware's Outstanding Natural Areas and Their Preservation. Published in 1978, this comprehensive catalog of Delaware's best remaining natural sites is still used as a reference by conservationists to evaluate Delaware's natural landscapes and progress toward their preservation. Lorraine has received the DNS Lifetime Achievement and the Delaware Audition Society Conservation Award, among her many honors and awards.
As a member of Delaware's Open Space Council, Lorraine has been a strong vocal advocate for the environment with Delaware's General Assembly and has been a leader in the conservation community at large. She was driving force behind the preservation of more than 120,000 acres of Delaware's open space and farmland, the successful passage of the Natural Areas Preservation Act of 1978 and the Conservation Easement Act of 1978, and spearheaded the income tax check-off for wildlife.
Erected by Delaware State Parks.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Environment • Women. In addition, it is included in the Delaware State Parks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1978.
Location. 39° 48.486′ N, 75° 34.749′ W. Marker is near Wilmington, Delaware, in New Castle County. It is in Winterthur. Marker is on Indian Springs Trail. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4244 Wilsons Run Rd, Wilmington DE 19807, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Lynn W. Williams - Pioneer of Preservation (here, next to this marker); Woodlawn Trustees, Inc. / William Poole Bancroft (approx. ¾ mile away); The History of Rockland Village (approx. ¾ mile away); Pennington Bridge (approx. 0.8 miles away); Rockland Mill Village (approx. 0.8 miles away); Mount Lebanon United Methodist Church
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 1, 2019
Credits. This page was last revised on February 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 2, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 390 times since then and 63 times this year. Last updated on August 30, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 2, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.