MAINE SENIORS • April 14, 2021
Richard B. Anderson was born in Massachusetts. He moved to Maine and earned a degree in Wildlife Conservation from UMaine. Around 1965, he and others formed the State Biologists Association. “We were this sort of radical environmental organization in those days,” Anderson says. He was on the board of Maine’s Environmental Improvement Commission. During his time as Conservation Commissioner, Anderson put together a group that developed legislation that became the Land for Maine’s Future program. Later, he was struck with the idea that became the International Appalachian Trail. Don Hudson, a notable environmental luminary, says, “Sure Dick was instrumental in re-inventing the Maine Audubon Society, in the establishment of LMF, and in founding the IAT. However, the most impressive thing is his quality of genuine, non-judgmental, and caring friendship.”