A Legacy of Activist Philanthropy: Len and Sandy Sargent

Robin Tawney Nichols traces the history of the modern conservation movement in Montana and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem as she chronicles the story of how two people gave of their time and treasure to help environmental organizations address state and regional issues. Len and Sandy Sargent retired to Montana in 1969, just as government and corporate entities planned to tap the region's vast coal reserves to solve the first national energy crisis. Without hesitation, the Sargents joined legions of other activists to defend the land and the water that make Montana the Last Best Place. Their defense occurred in a pivotal era, when Montanans adopted a new constitution guaranteeing their right to a clean and healthful environment and adopted a body of natural resource law capable of making their state a conservation Camelot. Recognizing the conservation issues threatening their adopted home would be never-ending, the Sargents created the Cinnabar Foundation to support, in perpetuity, nonprofit organizations and programs engaged in environmental advocacy, conservation education, and research, as well as the preservation of open space, free-flowing streams, and public access. With contributions from Scott McMillion, Nichols captures the essence and spirit of a committed couple who combined activism with philanthropy to make a difference.