Celia M. Hunter

« Back to Glossary Index

**Early Life and Military Service:**
– Celia M. Hunter was born on January 13, 1919, in Arlington, Washington, and raised a Quaker on a small farm during the Great Depression.
– She took her first flight lesson at Everett Airport after her 21st birthday and later trained as a pilot, serving during World War II as a member of Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) class 43-W5.
– Hunter flew planes from factories to training centers and ports of embarkation, challenging restrictions on women pilots and exploring Fairbanks with fellow WASP Ginny Hill Wood after the war.

**Camp Denali and Conservation Efforts:**
– In 1952, Celia Hunter founded Camp Denali near Denali National Park, focusing on simple accommodations, outdoor activities, and environmental conservation.
– She refused to sell soft drinks or beer to prevent littering, becoming deeply involved in Alaska’s conservation issues and supporting the creation of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
– Hunter’s advocacy efforts led to the establishment of the Alaska Conservation Society and the continued operation of Camp Denali within Denali National Park.

**Conservation Legacy and Environmental Advocacy:**
– Celia Hunter founded the Alaska Conservation Foundation (ACF) in 1980, previously known as the Alaska Conservation Society (ACS), and served on the ACF board of trustees for over 18 years.
– She focused on growing the foundation, inspiring the next generation, and protecting the Alaskan wilderness, emphasizing individual action for change.
– Hunter’s leadership and advocacy efforts included opposing projects like the Rampart Dam and Project Chariot, and she played a significant role in the passage of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act in 1980.

**Mentorship and Recognition:**
– Celia Hunter mentored young women in Alaska in the 1970s, contributing to the passage of significant conservation legislation.
– She attracted women seeking adventure and conservation opportunities and was recognized with awards like the John Muir Award by the Sierra Club and the Robert Marshall Award from the Wilderness Society.
– Hunter’s influence on conservation and land ethics was acknowledged through various awards and recognition for her mentoring role and leadership in environmental advocacy.

**Literary and Media Recognition:**
– Hunter’s legacy and contributions are documented in various sources like the Alaska Conservation Foundation and Wilderness Connect.
– Books like ‘The Firecracker Boys’ and Jay Hammond’s ‘Tales of Alaska’s Bush Rat Governor’ discuss Hunter’s activism and contributions.
– Articles and publications highlight Hunter’s impact on conservation, her advocacy work, and her recognition through awards and acknowledgments in the environmental movement.

« Back to Glossary Index