Background
Gustafson, John Alfred was born on March 31, 1925 in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. Son of Walter Alfred and Lilly Christine (Anderson) Gustafson.
Gustafson, John Alfred was born on March 31, 1925 in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. Son of Walter Alfred and Lilly Christine (Anderson) Gustafson.
Bachelor of Arts, Dartmouth, 1948; Doctor of Philosophy, Cornell Univercity, 1954.
Assistant professor biology, State University New York College, Brockport, 1954-1955;
assistant professor biology, State University New York College, Cortland, 1955-1957;
associate professor biology, State University New York College, 1957-1963;
professor biology, State University New York College, 1963-1981;
department chairman biological science, State University New York College, 1965-1977;
project director, National Science Foundation Grant for Outdoor Science Education, 1980-1982. Participant National Science Foundation Institute, 1962. President Alliance for Environmental Education, 1974.
Member Temporary State Commision on Youth Education in Conservation, New York, 1969-1973. Owner, public Slingerland-Comstock Company, 1976-1991.
Chairman Town of Homer Zoning Board, New York, 1959-1969, Town of Homer Planning Board, 1969-1975. Chairman Homer Plan Review Committee, 2001-2002, vice chairman Eastern Susquehanna Water Resources Board, 1969-1976. President Highvista Nature Center, Inc., 1973-1992.
Member Labrador Hollow Unique Area Advisory Council, since 1978. Chairman Cortland County Environmental Management Council, 1980-1982, Cortland County Anderson-Lucey campaign, 1980. Member board education Homer Center School District, 1982-1988.
Treasurer Pocono Environmental Education Center, 1988-1991, Lime Hollow Nature Center, since 1992. Cortland County representative to open space committee New York State, Region 7, 1996-2004. Board directors Iroquois Association, American Baptist Churches, 1986-1989, 97-2004, moderator, 1987.
President Cortland County Council of Churches, 1986-1989. Administrator 1st Baptist Church, Homer, New York, 1990-1994, treasurer, 1995-1999, board elders, 2001-2002, since 2008, board deacons, 2002-2003, director visitation, 2003-2004, since 2008. Steering committee New York State Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative, since 1997.
Served with United States Marine Corps Reserve, 1943-1946, 51-53. Fellow American Association for the Advancement of Science (council 1968-1973). Member American Nature Study Society (president 1962-1963, treasurer 1964-1975, 79-97, Distinguished Service award 1969, John Gustafson award for exemplary service, 1995), Nature Conservancy (director, treasurer, chairman central New York chapter, chairman New York State board directors 1983-1987, vice chairman, Control/western New York chapter 1994-1996, Oak Leaf award 1984), Phi Delta Kappa.
Married Nancy Gay Johnson, June 30, 1951. Children: Walter A., Laura E., Paul E.(deceased), Daniel D., Martha E., J. Olaf.