Roland Clement

Roland Charles Clement (November 22, 1912 – March 21, 2015) was an American environmentalist who worked for two decades at the National Audubon Society where he served many roles including staff biologist, staff ecologist, and Vice President. He was also a key figure in helping to ban DDT.

Early life and education Roland C. Clement was born in 1912 in Fall River, Massachusetts, the oldest child of Germain A. (a musician) and Angelina (DesJardins) Clement. He attended a two-year business college from 1928-1930 and worked as a bookkeeper for twelve years. In 1934, during the Great Depression, he was able to pursue his interest in ornithology when he began banding birds with Maurice Broun at the O.L. Austin Ornithological Research Station on outer Cape Cod. In 1938, Clement returned to school. He attended a two-year vocational program in Wildlife Management at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, graduating in 1940. During his time at the Audubon as membership secretary from 1958 to 1962, but quickly advanced to staff biologist from 1962 to 1967, and finally Vice President of the National Audubon Society from 1967 to 1977. He was known for his work in developing sanctuaries and protecting endangered species including whooping crane, peregrine falcons, bald eagle, and the California Condor. However, he may best be remembered for his work on banning DDT and publicly supporting and advocating the work of Rachel Carson. The publication of Silent Spring elicited strong responses, both positive and negative. He was a vocal advocate for Carson, debating with her detractors like Robert White-Stevens. On June 6, 1963, Clement testified with Carson before the Senate Committee on Commerce. They were submitting testimony regarding a bill, introduced by Senator Maurine Neuberger of Oregon, that would require states to be informed of federal spraying and to increase warnings of the hazardous effects of pesticides on wildlife.