The earth, especially Marin County, lost a great warrior on November 27 when Elizabeth Terwilliger died at the ripe old age of 97. She left behind a footprint filled with native plants, clear running streams and thousands of nature loving families.
With her husband, Dr. Calvin Terwilliger, she moved to Mill Valley after World War II and raised a family. It was hiking with her children that inspired Mrs. Terwilliger to take nature walks that did more than say oh-how-pretty.

She named plants and insects for the children and explained their interdependence in a fascinating "story-telling" manner. Other children soon joined in. Parents loved the walks as much as their children. It wasn't long before environmentalists were tagging along and helping expand the experience.

Almost every school child in Marin during this period went on a nature walk with Mrs. Terwilliger. For many years, some say fifty and that's probably correct; she led trips five days a week. She set a tone that led to saving West Marin and building Northern California into the wildlife sanctuary it is today.

Senator Barbara Boxer said it best and the rest of the article is taken from the report Barbara entered in the United States Senate official records within days of Terwilliger's death:

"In addition to leading nature education programs, Mrs. Terwilliger was an advocate for environmental conservation and open space. She campaigned for a monarch butterfly preserve, bicycle paths, wetlands and open space preservation.

She received numerous awards and has two preserves named after her: Terwilliger Marsh in Mill Valley and Terwilliger Grove in Muir Woods. "She founded the Elizabeth Terwilliger Nature Education Center, which later became known as WildCare.

Using educational programs developed by Mrs. Terwilliger, the center provides nature programs for over 40,000 Bay Area school children each year. The center also treats thousands of wildlife each year, rehabilitating them and returning them to their natural environment.

"She was a famous and beloved educator who traveled across the county in her familiar van filled with life-like animal models to teach school children about nature. Upon sight of her characteristic floppy straw hat, children would come running and follow her through the woods with excitement and adoration. They would soak up her stories and bring them home to teach their parents.

Those who knew Mrs. Terwilliger well recount her mesmerizing personality, her passion for nature and wildlife, and her open hearted way with children and adults alike.

"In 1984, President Ronald Reagan honored Mrs. Terwilliger as an outstanding volunteer. While accepting the award at the White House, she shared one of her famous stories about "Mr. Vulture," and had President Reagan holding his arms over his head in the "V" position, representing a vulture in flight.

"I knew Mrs. Terwilliger and respected and admired her greatly. She will be deeply missed. For those of us who were fortunate to know her, we take comfort in knowing that school children will continue to learn from Mrs. Terwilliger's unique educational style at WildCare. Her vision, her passion and her spirit will remain in the countless lives she touched."

Thank you, Mrs. Terwilliger, thank you. .