In Memoriam: Larry E. Moss, 1934-2006

Larry Moss was a dear friend, founding Board member, Board President, and Executive Director of the Smith River Alliance. He was a key member of our Smith River “family” for the last 26 years.

Larry Moss died peacefully in his sleep in his home at Big Lagoon, California on June 22, 2006 surrounded by his loved ones, garden, books and music.

Some background about Larry: he was born in the Platte River Valley of Nebraska on July 6, 1934 to Edward and Ruth Belle Moss. It was there that he developed his love of nature and science -- as a child roaming through his grandparent’s farmlands.

He graduated from the University of California in Los Angeles in 1957 with a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature.

After college, while living in Pacific Palisades, California he founded the organization No Oil Inc., which continues to this day defending the coast of southern California against oil exploration and development. In 1971 he became the Southern California Representative of the Sierra Club and, in 1974, National Conservation Director. In 1975 he moved to Sacramento to serve as the Deputy Secretary for Resources for the State of California. Larry left the administration to be the Executive Director of the Planning and Conservation League. He was particularly proud of the role he played in passage of the California Coastal Act and expansion of the Redwood National Park.

Larry moved to Humboldt County in 1978 to live in the coastal redwoods that he loved. While living in Trinidad and Big Lagoon, he was the western regional director of the Wilderness Society for several years. It was during these “Humboldt County” years that Larry began his many years of service to the Smith River and the Smith River Alliance. He was involved in nearly every project of the Alliance from 1980 to present. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Smith River National Recreation Area (1990) and for nearly a decade, he was the Alliance representative to the Smith River Advisory Council, which developed the Smith River Anadromous Fish Action Plan (2002) -- a document that guides restoration work in the watershed today. In 2003 he again served as the Alliance representative on another multi-interest team to develop the Recovery Strategy for California Coho Salmon (2004).

Larry contributed in many significant ways to the Smith River and SRA. In addition to important work products, we will remember and appreciate Larry for ALWAYS making time to advise and collaborate on issues and projects. Right up through the final days of his life -- Larry made himself available to SRA and to other organizations that are dedicated to making their communities and this planet a healthier and more peaceful place to live. We are most grateful to have had Larry’s companionship, friendship and leadership these last 26 years.

As many of you know, Larry also had a passion for gardening. Under his loving care, his Big Lagoon property supported a vast Rhododendron garden. Larry was also very active with the Humboldt Botanical Gardens Foundation (HBGF) where he served as a member of the board of directors from 1995 and President from January 2000 to June 20, 2006.

While President of HBGF, Larry worked tirelessly to further the construction of the Humboldt Botanical Garden which is located on Humboldt Bay, south of Eureka, California adjacent to the College of the Redwoods. The Garden’s final master plan, fund raising plan, coastal permit, construction documents, ground breaking, planting of the Wildberries Natural Riparian Area, construction of the Sun Valley Greenhouse, the first selection and ordering of plants and the commencement of the hardscape construction of the core gardens took place during his presidency. In honor of Larry’s contributions to the Humboldt Botanical Gardens, a Moss Family Temperate Woodland Garden is under development there.

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