Dr. Ira Noel Gabrielson, an Oakton resident, was a pioneer conservationist, distinguished field ornithologist and renowned author. He served as the first director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and an international leader of conservation projects. Gabrielson was a founder and the first chairman of the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority and first president of World Wildlife Fund-US. He was inducted into the National Wildlife Federation’s Conservation Hall of Fame in 1978.

WHAT: A ceremony to unveil a historic highway marker named in honor of Ira Noel Gabrielson, 1889—1977.

WHEN: 2:00 p.m. Saturday, April 26.

WHERE: Oakton Library, 10304 Lynnhaven Place, Oakton 22124.

SPEAKERS:

• Gerald E. Connolly, Chairman, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
• Dale Hall, Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
• Lee Talbot, former Director-General, World Conservation Union (IUCN)
• Craig Tufts, Chief Naturalist, National Wildlife Federation
• Su Webb, Vice Chairman, Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority Board
• Margaret Ackerley, Senior vice President, World Wildlife Fund
• Jim Scott, Virginia House of Delegates, 53rd District
• Harold L. Strickland, Chairman, Fairfax County Park Authority Board
• Stephen Nesbitt, grandson of Dr. Gabrielson
• Trish Strat, Sponsor, Gabrielson Historic Highway Marker