Obituary: Paul Sneed

Paul made a key contribution to wolf conservation by completing the initial feasibility study for restoring wolves to the Grand Canyon Ecoregion.

Paul had various and diverse careers as a cowboy, firefighter, hunting and rafting guide, archaeologist, natural resource manager, environmental consultant, community college administrator, and college and university teacher. Paul received his Ph.D. from the University of Hawaii in 1997 capping an academic career that included an M.A. from University of British Columbia in Environmental Planning and Resource Management in 1989, and a B.A. from the University of California at Santa Barbara in Anthropology in 1969. Paul was lucky to work in Idaho, California, British Columbia, Hawaii and Arizona.

Paul’s academic interests and research activities focus on sustainability science and practice including ecological restoration, parks and wilderness management, and sustainability education. In addition to being an active and published researcher, because he believes that a scientist should be an activist, Paul served in leadership positions on a number of local and regional community development and environmental organizations in Arizona, British Columbia, and Montana. Paul believed that education is the key to a sustainable future and that everyone should join the community of life-long learners who value ecological literacy, honor diversity, embrace change, and dream of making the world a better place for all beings.

Paul is survived by his loving wife of 22 years, Ramona Mattix; daughters, Niki Duncan-Sortun (Eric), Amber Altman (Monica) and Jennifer Clary Lemon (Chris); and sister Sondra Tonneson (Adolph).

He requested no service. In lieu of condolences, as he and Ramona requested upon their marriage, donations to the Nature Conservancy of Canada would be appreciated.