Joseph Grinnell

Joseph Grinnell was an influential American ornithologist and conservationist known for his detailed studies of birds and their habitats. He developed the "ecological niche" concept, emphasizing how species adapt to specific environments, and made significant contributions to the understanding of California's biodiversity. Grinnell founded the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology at the University of California, Berkeley, to study and preserve wildlife. His meticulous observational methods and emphasis on documenting species' behaviors and habitats laid foundational principles for modern ecology and conservation.