(Editor’s note: Last in a series)
The local Audubon Society was named for Robert Sparks Walker, a fitting tribute to a man who had dedicated his life to conservation and historical preservation. The Society’s website explained: “The Chattanooga Audubon Society was formed in 1944 by Robert Sparks Walker to protect the land on which he had spent his youth, now known as Audubon Acres. Mr. Walker was a highly respected and noted naturalist in the 1900s, and his reputation and work live on today. He believed that we had an obligation to educate people on the ways of nature, that we needed to protect our environment, and that we could learn much from the indigenous people who had lived in this area for thousands of years.”
From the moment of the society’s inception until Walker’s death in 1960 — followed by his burial on-site at Audubon Acres — his dedication to the natural world remains ever-present. Walker insisted that the original name of Robert Sparks Walker Audubon Society requested by Sarah Key Patten be changed to Chattanooga Audubon Society to reflect the broad community support for its mission. Walker, a poet, historian, author, horticulturist and naturalist, left his mark at Audubon Acres and at Maclellan Island’s wildlife sanctuary as well as in numerous publications that bore his name and thousands of lectures and “walks” he conducted through the decades.
Fortunately and probably to Walker’s discomfort, he was often lauded during his lifetime. On May 27, 1950, during a tree dedication ceremony at Audubon Acres, then known as the Elise Chapin Wildlife Sanctuary, President Lou Williams surprised Walker with the unveiling of his portrait, commissioned by the society and painted by Rome Benedict. “It is fitting that the members of the Audubon Society show their gratitude and respect for one to whom we are so deeply indebted. I have the honor, therefore, to unveil this portrait of our founder and our constant guide, Mr. Robert Sparks Walker.”
Following the unveiling, Walker was serenaded by the Cherokee Qualla Reservation Quartet. Isaac Welch, Jonah Washington, McKinley Ross and Noah Powell sang a program of familiar folk songs in both English and Cherokee. Several hundred guests enjoyed cookies and lemonade in the Loblolly Lunch Grove and then strolled “along the shady trails to Conservation Acres,” where two sweet gum trees were dedicated to local Boy and Girl Scout councils.