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COMMON GROUND VOL. 12 NO. 5 OCTOBER—DECEMBER 2001 AConservationists have lost one of their Greater New York Blood Program, pioneers in the corporate world—William Spencer was a driving force in The Con- Corporate Spencer—a long- time director of The Conser- servation Fund' s success . His banking and vation Fund who died Sept. 9 . Beginning business background helped the Fund de- Pio n ee r more than a quarter century ago, he led ef- velop systems to monitor finances and focus forts to promote a common agenda for the on the financial needs of the rapidly grow- corporate and environmental communities , ing organization . resi- His experience and dedication helped I met Spencer in 1974 when he was p dent and chief administrative officer of the Fund increase its effectiveness and effi- Citicorp / Citibank . I worked closely with him ciency . The former is reflected in the Fund' s for decades to bring business leaders and record accomplishments during his years on conservationists together to work on conser- the organization' s board of directors . The vation projects . After joining the board of di- latter can been seen in the Fund' s history of rectors of The Conservation Fund in the allocating 95 % of expenditures to its conser- 1980s, he never missed a board meeting until vation programs and only 5 percent to ad- his death at age 84 . ministration and fund raising . He was born in Grand Junction, Colo . , A talented manager, fund-raiser and graduated from Colorado College in 1939 conservationist, he assisted the Fund in and moved to New York C ity to begin his ca- building its Corporate Partners Program _ reer in banking. While in military service that now includes more than 200 of the is published quarterly as a during World War II, he suffered a serious nation' s leading businesses . He brought service to the conservation injury that required a six-month recupera- great enthusiasm to his conservation work community by tion. "From the moment of my recovery, I and remained committed throughout his life The Conservation Fund vowed to repay through volunteer work the to habitat conservation in his native Rocky Patrick F. Noonan organizations zations that helped me so much and to Mountains . The Fund will remember him John F. Turner make a contribution to life," he said . fondly for building the relationships that led President Spencer was true to his word . His com- to the preservation of 30,000 acres of work- Mike McQueen mitment to conservation spanned decades , ing ranchlands and elk range in Colorado . Editor He was a long-time member of the Boone Spencer left a legacy of concern for the Jack Lynn and Crockett Club and served on the board environment .Editorial Consultant Many corporate leaders have Meg West of The Nature Conservancy before joining followed in his footsteps . His life' s work and Art Director The Conservation Fund . Spencer' s dedication unwavering spirit inspire us as we continue For address corrections and to charitable work was strong, extending to protect and conserve our natural world , information, contact: well beyond conservation . He served as di- —Patrick F . Noonan April Berry rector of the New York Medical Center and The author is chairman of the board of directors Circulation Manager New York CommunityTrust and chaired the o The Conservation Fund . The Conservation Fund f 1800 N. Kent St., Suite 1120 Arlington, VA 22209 703 / 525-6300 COMMON GROUND routinely grants permission for reprints. Address editorial correspondence and reprint queries to: COMMON GROUND 940 Stillwater Lane Earlysville, VA 22936 804/ 973-7324 c coground®aol. com 0 COMMON GROUND is available on the World Wide Web at http : // www.conservationfund. org w Printed on recycled paper. Zt NO W p rn o�`i O v, E "I've always had this dream of buying a little farm '' g .�'p by and then sellin it o iece iece. " o O