Oregon State University Libraries, Special Collections & Archives Research Center
University
Archives
121 The Valley
Library
Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR 97331-4501
Phone:
541-737-2165
Email:
archives@oregonstate.edu
Web:
http://osulibrary.oregonstate.edu/archives
MSS
Eltzroth
Eltzroth, Merlin S.
Merlin S. Eltzroth Papers
1971-2005
1983-2005
0.4 cubic foot
1 box
The Merlin S. Eltzroth Papers consist of
field notes compiled by Eltzroth about first and second recorded sightings
of birds that are rarely seen in Oregon and a personal history,
Here, There and Eltzwhere, written by
Eltzroth. Eltzroth earned a BS degree in Wildlife Science from Oregon
State University in 1974.
Materials in English.
Biographical Note:
Merlin S. Eltzroth moved to Corvallis in 1971 and earned a BS degree in
Wildlife Science from Oregon State University in 1974. He specialized in
non-game bird biology and was a volunteer in wild bird rehabilitation and
protection, especially of hawks, owls, and other birds of prey. In 1985,
he was instrumental in the passage of Oregon laws to protect all native
non-game bird species and received honors from the Oregon Department of
Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for his work. In
early 2005, he received the first Homer Campbell Award for conservation
and the environment fromm the Audubon Society of Corvallis. He served as
president of the Audubon Society of Corvallis and founded the Oregon Field
Ornithologists and published articles and booklets about birds of
Oregon.
Eltzroth retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1971 after serving in both
World War II and the Vietnam War. He graduated from Ohio University in
1947. Merlin S. and Elsie K. Eltzroth were married in June 1943. Merlin
was born in Philadelphia in 1922, grew up in Ohio, and died in Corvallis
on October 7, 2005.
The Merlin S. Eltzroth Papers consist of field notes about birds rarely
seen in Oregon and an autobiography written by Eltzroth in 2005.
The field notes document the first and second recorded sightings in
Oregon of birds that are rarely seen in the state. They are based on
Eltzroth's personal observations, published sources, and accounts from
other birders. The notes include details on the date and location of the
sighting and the observer. Information from these records was developed
into a database by the Oregon Department of Fisheries and Wildife, that
was transferred to the Oregon Natural Heritage Program.
Eltzroth's autobiography,
Here, There, and Eltzwhere, presents a
chronological personal history of Eltzroth's family, education, military
service, and life in Corvallis, Oregon. He describes his involvement with
the birding community in Corvallis; his experiences as an older student at
Oregon State University (OSU) in the 1970s; friendships with OSU faculty;
participation in OSU classes as a guest lecturer; highlights of OSU
athletics; and bird-related research that he conducted in collaboration
with OSU researchers.
Collection is open for research.
Merlin S. Eltzroth Papers, Oregon State University Archives, Corvallis,
Oregon.
Materials were donated to the Archives in 2008 and 2009.
The Bluebird Habitat Research Records document the Bluebird Trail
project of the Audubon Society in Corvallis which was led by Elsie
Eltzroth. Additional information about academic and research programs in
fisheries and wildlife at Oregon State University are available in the
Fisheries
and Wildlife Department Records (RG 190) as well as the
Spotted
Owl Management, Policy, and Research Collection.
Eltzroth,
Elsie K.
Oregon State
University. Dept. of Fisheries and Wildlife.
Oregon State
University--Students.
Eltzroth family.
Adult college
students--Oregon--Corvallis.
Bird
watching--Oregon.
Birds--Conservation--Oregon.
Corvallis
(Or.)
Colleges and
Universities
Fisheries and
Wildlife
Home and Family
Military
Oregon
Corvallis