Founding Member of American River Natural History Association Honored

Special to Carmichael Patch

Sacramento County, at the request of the , is honoring lifelong parks supporter, volunteer and founding member Jo Glasson Smith by dedicating the courtyard room inside the Assembly Building of the in her name.

“Jo Glasson Smith played an invaluable role in the history of the Nature Center,” District 3 Supervisor Susan Peters said in a rleased statement. “She actively volunteered at the center, co-edited many of the educational publications, helped found ARNHA in the 1980’s, and has contributed greatly to the ongoing financial stability and success of the nature center.”

As an avid park supporter, Smith served on the Sacramento County Recreation and Parks Commission, the American River Parkway Advisory Committee, the Arcade Creek Park District Board and the Sacramento County Open Space Task Force.

This naming is consistent with the board’s basic parks naming policy, adopted in 1986 which stipulates that park names be topographic, geographic or historically significant and will not be named after living persons except under certain conditions.

The board approved having a name plaque placed inside the room. The plaque, funded by ARNHA, will read:

Jo Glasson Smith Room
In honor of Jo Glasson Smith
(1925-2008)
Teacher, artist, champion of creeks, steward of the land, inspirational leader