The Outstanding Educator Award

During 1967-68, Dale Crider served an important role in establishing the Southeast’s first chapter of The Wildlife Society. He retired a quarter century ago and might be fading into history. In 2021, why not take the opportunity to honor his unique career, introduce him to the younger generation, and belatedly celebrate his 80th birthday?

According to www.floridamemory.com: Folks learn to appreciate Florida’s mosquitos, swamps and waterways through song with Gainesville’s environmental troubadour Dale Crider. Dale has been a presence at the Florida Folk Festival for over 40 years, beginning with his performances of traditional bluegrass numbers in the 1960s with the Florida Wildlife Boys. By the 1970s he was performing original songs both solo and accompanied by various musicians, including then-wife Linda Bittner. With 30 years of experience as a biologist for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Crider has an in-depth understanding of Florida’ s ecosystems. This has enabled him to write songs with both a convincing message of environmental conservation and an equally strong audience appeal.

Matt Schudel authored “Song of the Wild,” a Christmas Eve 1994 article by in the South Florida SUN-SENTINEL about Dale’s upcoming retirement. The following three paragraphs are based on that article. Dale played in all of The Sunshine State’s 67 counties, at the governor’s mansion, at schools, and under the stars. At that time, he said, "I get into places where a normal wild-life biologist wouldn't," he says. "I want to connect with the bigger problems facing society. I want to concentrate on reaching people where it works best---to reach for their hearts."

Through his songs, his work in schools and his nature walks around the state, it is safe to say that Dale Crider has introduced environmental awareness to more people in Florida than anyone else. On Jan. 31 [1995], Crider will retire from his job as the state’s first and only singing biologist, but he promises that his voice for the wilderness will never fall silent.
Crider's music is a blend of folk, bluegrass and country, and over the years he has written some 200 songs about Florida and recorded 50 or so on his three record albums and six cassette tapes. He makes about 150 appearances a year across Florida and has performed in other states and countries. The songs describe the wonders of Florida's birds and animals, but they also point to the problems of overpopulation, insensitive development and general arrogance toward the natural world.

From the unfortunately now defunct www.anhingaroost.net: Dale Crider, Florida's environmental troubadour, has written, recorded and performed numerous songs about Florida, its unique wilderness and wildlife. These songs have helped bring attention to the plight of endangered wildlife, to their habitats in rivers and other fragile aquatic ecosystems, and to the natural systems that support all life in Florida.

After two decades working to save endangered and threatened species for the Florida Game & Fresh Water Fish Commission, wildlife biologist Dale Crider now spends his days creating musical productions and multimedia presentations focusing on ecological problems and the need for conservation. Dale's musical and multi-media slide presentations have been performed live and for TV audiences nationwide. He resides at Anhinga Roost, a cypress swamp wildlife sanctuary where they are conducting a "lifestyle experiment" in pursuit of a conservation ethic.

As both singer and biologist, Dale has convinced people of all ages that Florida wildlife habitats and the plants and animals dependent on them should be saved. He has performed his songs in almost every state and in Argentina, Paraguay, Canada, Australia and the Caribbean. He has performed on stage with Tom T. Hall, The Bellamy Brothers, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Gamble Rogers, Will McLean, John Hartford and various other folk, country and bluegrass artists. He has entertained governors and various policy makers from Tallahassee to Washington.

Dale has been interviewed by ABC's Ted Koppel and has performed on various national broadcast and cable networks. Crider's songs were included in the World of Audubon TV specials, TBS's Woodstork Barometer of the Everglades and several other documentaries on Florida.

Listen to Dale here:  

More information and music here:

https://donnagreentownsend.com/dale-crider/