Ted Smith

I regret to announce the death of Ted Smith CBE, President of Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. He died yesterday, Sunday 13th September, at Boston Hospital. His daughters Alison and Helen were with him.

Ted, a founder member of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust is also described as the architect of the modern Wildlife Trust movement.

Sir David Attenborough said in 2012 “Ted is quite exceptional. This countryside of Britain may not be as rich as Ted knew it as a child in the 1920s and 30s but it is immeasurably better than it would otherwise have been without him and The Wildlife Trusts. I believe that work will continue and be increasingly important to all of us living in this beautiful but crowded archipelago."

Back in the 1940s Ted Smith recognised the urgent need to save Lincolnshire’s most special places for nature. He fought to save our unspoiled coast, ancient meadows and heaths and to halt the destruction of native woodland. Ted campaigned on almost every front from saving roadside flowers from being sprayed with chemicals to pressing for legislation to protect otters.

His influence extended far beyond Lincolnshire. He travelled the length and breadth of Britain, lecturing on his vision for nature and for local Wildlife Trusts to champion it. Most importantly, he saw the need for local nature organisations which could own land and for them to derive support from a wide section of the community.

A short film about Ted was made in 2012 http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/who-we-are/ted-smith

I offer my deepest sympathy to his family and to his friends and colleagues, he will be so greatly missed. Dear Ted, rest in peace.

Paul

Paul Learoyd Chief Executive
Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust