On a recent visit to an ongoing field experiment in the mountains of Georgia, my colleague mentioned that we had just passed into the Mark Trail Wilderness.
A fact that, I freely admit, has escaped me all this time. In my defense, we are usually focused on things like how to install our experiment 30 feet up in the canopy of a hemlock tree. But I digress.
My colleague went on to describe a brief report she had heard in the news about the recent death of an artist who illustrated comic book character Mark Trail. I was completely ignorant of the significance of Mark Trail and the existence of his comic, but the few details she related piqued my curiosity.
Ed Dodd started writing the comic strip "Mark Trail" in 1946. Jack Elrod started working with Dodd in 1950 before taking over the comic in 1978. Our hero, Mark, is a ruggedly handsome outdoorsman whose pursuit of the simple pleasures in life are often interrupted by poachers, thugs, and goons invading those peaceful settings and selfishly destroying beautiful natural areas. Mark's career as a photojournalist and love for wilderness propel him into the fray as a hero fighting "to preserve the integrity of the American wilderness for future generations."
But it's not all confrontation and right-hooks from our sophisticated man-of-the-woods. Mark is an intelligent instructor and advocate for your safety.
In the age of information overload, I somehow missed this gem of a comic. Lovingly illustrated, these comics are chock full of factoids about our natural world and our role in it. I am on a mission to find out more.
Both Dodd and Elrod were natives of Georgia and outdoorsmen themselves. These men and their comic strip showed millions that being an environmentalist is not only important, but cool. Over the years, the comic and authors received many accolades and honors. Not only is there a designated
wilderness area named for this trendsetter, but Mark Trail is the official
spokescharacter for NOAA.
Mr. Dodd passed away at the age of 88 in 1991 and Mr. Elrod passed away just this past February at the age of 91. Thankfully, their legacy lives on through
Mr. James Allen, yet another Georgian, now responsible for navigating Mark Trail in this new era of invasive species and fragmented landscapes.
Thank you gentlemen for a creative and educational romp through our woods!
P.S. And check out this special
one celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness act.
