John James Audubon (1785-1851): A renowned ornithologist, naturalist, and painter, Audubon is best known for his detailed illustrations of North American birds in "The Birds of America."
Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862): An American essayist, poet, and philosopher, Thoreau is famous for his book "Walden," which reflects on simple living in natural surroundings. He was also a keen observer of nature.
John Muir (1838-1914): Often referred to as the "Father of the National Parks," Muir was a Scottish-American naturalist and environmentalist who played a key role in the establishment of several national parks, including Yosemite.
Rachel Carson (1907-1964): A marine biologist and conservationist, Carson is best known for her groundbreaking book "Silent Spring," which raised awareness about the environmental impact of pesticides, particularly DDT.
Aldo Leopold (1887-1948): An ecologist, forester, and environmentalist, Leopold is renowned for his book "A Sand County Almanac," which explores his philosophy of a "land ethic" and the interconnectedness of all living things.
Jane Goodall (born 1934): While originally from the United Kingdom, Goodall conducted her groundbreaking research on wild chimpanzees in Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania. Her work revolutionized our understanding of primates and conservation.
E.O. Wilson (1929-2021): An American biologist, Wilson was a pioneer in the study of biodiversity and sociobiology. He wrote extensively on the importance of preserving ecosystems and coined the term "biophilia" to describe the innate human connection to nature.
David Attenborough (born 1926): Although Attenborough is British, his documentaries, such as "The Blue Planet" and "Planet Earth," have had a significant impact on popularizing natural history and environmental awareness in the United States.