Ellen Straus died at her home in Marshall, Calif. She was a pioneer in helping farmers protect land from sprawl and helped found an influential land trust.
"Ellen Straus was a pioneer in the purchase of development rights from farmers to save the land from being turned into tract housing and shopping malls... Today there are 1,000 land trusts throughout the country, and the [Marin Agricultural Land Trust, or MALT, founded by Ms. Straus], was the model for scores of them... Inspired by Rachel Carson's book "Silent Spring," Ms. Straus turned her attention to the environmental movement..."
Thanks to Abhijeet Chavan
FULL STORY: Ellen Straus, Dairy Farmer and Avid Environmentalist, 75, Dies
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