William and Arlene Bryson, along with their daughter, Ann, were invited guests at the 35th anniversary dinner of the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy held at Macalester College in St. Paul Nov. 12. Among the other 140 notable attendees were long-term House Research Director John Helland and John Herman, co-founder of the organization. Herman worked in conjunction with Charles Dayton to establish the non-profit MCEA at a time when society was very casual about protecting and preserving environmental resources.

Don Shelby, a long time news anchor at WCCO, gave the keynote address on global warming and the impact on future generations. Shelby questioned, “What is the cost of doing nothing?” He said future generations are in a serious predicament because of past and present environmental conflicts between “ethics” and the “wallet.”

The Brysons were recognized for their half-century of environmental advocacy and landmark court battle to protect a wildlife area from road construction. The Brysons’ Marsh court case set a national precedent as a landmark case in wetland protection. “Brysons’ Marsh” is a recognized wildlife management area in the state of Minnesota.

What follows is from the Minnesota Supreme Court’s 1976 decision disallowing the construction of a highway through William and Arlene Brysons’ marsh, which they brought suit to save.

“To some of our citizens a swamp or marshland is physically unattractive, an inconvenience to cross by foot and an obstacle to road construction or improvement.

“To one who is willing to risk wet feet to walk through it, a marsh frequently contains a springy soft moss, vegetation of many varieties, and wildlife not normally seen on higher ground.

“It is quiet and peaceful — the most ancient of cathedrals — antedating the oldest of manmade structures. More than that, it acts as nature’s sponge, holding heavy moisture to prevent flooding during heavy rainfalls and slowly releasing the moisture and maintaining the water tables during dry cycles.

“In short, marshes and swamps are something to preserve and protect.”