Donald B. and Elizabeth G. (Libby) Lawrence were life-long conservationists, and their devotion and love for the natural world culminated with their bequest gift to The Nature Conservancy. The generous gift from their estate will allow The Nature Conservancy to carry on the conservation accomplishments Don and Libby made during their lifetimes.

A Professor Emeritus of Botany and Ecology at the University of Minnesota, Don traveled extensively with his wife, Libby, to discover secrets of the natural world and shared his knowledge with his students and the Conservancy's science staff. Half of the Lawrences' bequest will go to the Minnesota chapter's Cox Family Fund for Science, in honor of their life-long love of scientific study. Their gift will support research and monitoring of conservation activities throughout the state to ensure successful restoration and stewardship of protected lands.

In 1960, Don and Libby discovered the best example of "biscuit-scabland topography associated with native grassland and shrub-steppe ecosystems in the Pacific Northwest" and established a fund with The Nature Conservancy for its eventual acquisition years later. Named the Lawrence Memorial Grassland Preserve, this area is recognized as a National Natural Landmark and will receive ongoing management and stewardship thanks to the other half of the Lawrences' generous bequest.

The Lawrences are an inspiration to everyone working to save the last great places on Earth. Their gift reflects the confidence they placed in The Nature Conservancy to create their legacy by preserving the Earth's diversity for generations to come.

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