Celebrating a life in service to nature and all that it supports.

Dr. L. Martin “Marty” Griffin
July 23, 1920 – May 22, 2024

This is a proud legacy to leave for future generations—and one that we should protect vigilantly at all costs.

~ L. Martin (Marty) Griffin, M.D.

All Hands Ecology Founder Marty Griffin wrote the above words in his book Saving the Marin-Sonoma Coast, where he tells the dramatic story of local conservationists—including himself—whose passion and daring succeeded in defending wildlife habitats, defeating runaway growth and opening the door to a new environmental ethic…forever protecting wild landscapes and transforming the political landscape of Marin and Sonoma counties.
Marty, who died on May 22, 2024 at the age of 103, continues to inspire us every day.

Saving wildlands in the North Bay and beyond

A conservationist since the 1950s, Marty was instrumental in the creation of All Hands Ecology, prevention of a coastal freeway and aqueduct, and the preservation of sanctuaries on Bolinas Lagoon, Tomales Bay, Sonoma Creek and Point Reyes. Thanks to the efforts of Marty and like-minded conservationists, the coastline of Marin County was rescued from commercial development and held in permanent trust for the public.

La labor de conservación de Marty se extendió más allá de las zonas silvestres costeras. Fue cofundador del Foro Medioambiental de Marín, creó una reserva de fauna salvaje en el Parque Nacional de Haleakala, participó en trabajos sobre fauna salvaje en Nepal y fue elegido director del Distrito Municipal de Aguas de Marín. En 1990, Marty fundó el Russian River Task Force, el Russian River Environmental Forum y Friends of the Russian River, que se convirtió en Russian RiverKeeper.

A recent article by the National Park Service reminds us of the broad impact of his life work…at All Hands Ecology and beyond.

A dedicated conservationist and physician

El amor de Marty por la naturaleza comenzó a una edad temprana y creció a medida que lo hacía. La lectura de su carta a la familia tras recorrer el sendero John Muir en 1938 nos permite conocer mejor al joven que más tarde dedicaría su vida a proteger los paisajes que ama.

In addition to his career as a preservationist in the United States and abroad, Marty was a distinguished physician and public health innovator. He served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps during World War II, helped establish the Ross Valley Clinic, Ross General Hospital, Kentfield Psychiatric Hospital and the Tamalpais Retirement Center. He served as the Chief of Medicine at Marin General and Ross hospitals and well as Public Health Officer at the Sonoma Development Center.

En 1989 fue galardonado por el Estado de California por su apreciada carrera en la sanidad pública.

Salvar la costa de Marin Sonoma: Disponible para descargar

El documental Rebels with a Cause (Rebeldes con causa ) detalla las batallas de los conservacionistas locales para detener el desarrollo planificado a lo largo de la costa del condado de Marin.

Visite el sitio web de Marty para leer más sobre los logros de toda su vida y descargar capítulos de su libro, Saving the Marin-Sonoma Coast.

Marty Griffin and All Hands Ecology: A video about an unwavering conservationist

Watch this inspiring mini-documentary about Marty’s quest to protect the landscape he loves—and inspire others to join him. Starting with the then-polluted Bolinas Lagoon, Marty tells the story of saving the lagoon, forming All Hands Ecology, and continuing his conservation battles up the coast to Tomales Bay.