Aven Nelson: Father of Wyoming Botany and the Yellowstone Expedition

Aven Nelson, a prominent American botanist known for his work on Rocky Mountain plants.

The Father of Wyoming Botany March 24, 1859 Today is the birthday of the American botanist, who specialized in the Rocky Mountains, Aven Nelson. In 1899, Aven led a 14-week botanical expedition through Yellowstone. Aven had hired a student named Leslie Goodding to be the chore boy for $10 per month. The group assembled at…

Read More

Aven Nelson: Father of the Rocky Mountain Herbarium

Aven Nelson c. 1931

“The sentry cited the group with multiple infractions – not understanding the botanical work and the materials necessary to collect and archive specimens.” June 24, 1899 On this day, a Yellowstone Park Sentry discovered six people camped beside the Madison River inside Yellowstone National Park.   The group consisted of Professor and botanist Aven Nelson…

Read More