Larry D. Harris Papers
Scope and Content
The Harris papers consist primarily of his professional work relating to African wildlife conservation, first as a Game Management Officer from 1964 to 1966 and a Game biologist from 1966 to 1967 at Mkomazi, followed by graduate and postdoctoral studies to 1972, then for 27 years as an academic professor and applied consultant between 1972 and 1999. His career is historically interesting, as it began during the creation of one of the best known national parks in Africa and the transition from colonial British policies regarding game management (an apparently unique copy of the 1959 "Game warden's handbook" issued by the Government of Tanzania is one example), through several decades of independent national policy changes as Tanzania's population grew dramatically, tourism revenues became an important source of national income, and the management challenges surrounding parks became increasingly complex.
The collection includes numerous original primary resources such as Harris's field journals and notes, raw data sheets (species census and herd counts) and analysis, draft articles, research proposals, conference presentations, management and activity reports, policy papers, etc. representing his academic and applied research relating to wildlife biology, game conservation and management, poaching and poaching prevention, wildlife utilization, livestock production, community participation in resource management, and tourism project development in Africa, especially Tanzania.
Harris explained a significant gap in the Mkomazi raw data included here with a note dated July 6, 2000. By 1985, rhino were extirpated from Mkomazi and, during a reintroduction project, the project manager asked him where they occurred prior to 1970. To respond, Harris removed these data, but failed to return them. This and other notes on collection contents are included in series three. Wilson (processing assistant 2009-2011), noted from an interview with Harris that some census sheets, field note books, and computer tapes intended for inclusion in the donation also were not transferred.
Draft papers from colleagues are included (including academics, students, game wardens, and resource managers), in some cases along with their correspondence or notes, topical bibliographies, and related materials. Also included are examples of promotional or advertising materials for game parks and related businesses (hotels and lodges, safari tours, etc.), as are government documents relating to natural resource and wildlife policies. A less extensive portion of the collection relates to consulting on wildlife conservation in Botswana, focusing on the Okavango Delta.
The smallest series of papers represents his teaching (lecture notes and presentation materials) and administrative work at UF. Included are a few examples of personal correspondence, including a set of letters to his family during his university studies and Peace Corps service in Tanzania. Some maps, photographs, audio and video recordings, computer storage media, etc. are also included.
Dates
- Creation: 1955-2009
- Creation: Majority of material found within 1965-1994
Creator
- Harris, Larry D. (Person)
Access
The collection is open for research.
Biographical/Historical Note
Larry D. Harris was born on September 20, 1942 in Avoca, Iowa. With support from a National Science Foundation undergraduate fellowship, he received his B.S. from Iowa State University in 1962. During two Peace Corps tours of service in Tanzania from 1964 to 1967, he collected game population data and participated in the creation of Mkomazi Game Reserve. Harris earned a master's degree and Ph.D. (1970) in wildlife ecology from Michigan State University, followed by a post-doctoral National Science Foundation fellowship in systems ecology at Colorado State University. Joining the University of Florida's School of Forest Resources and Conservation in 1972, he served on UF's faculty as Professor of Wildlife and Range Sciences until his retirement in 1999. Harris's career is notable for outstanding teaching, success in research grants, and for his pioneering the concepts of landscape fragmentation and wildlife corridors in many award winning publications. His 1984 book, The Fragmented Forest, is recognized as an outstanding contribution to the field of ecology and won the 1986 Wildlife Society Publication Award. Harris was a leader in conservation, pioneering the application of island biogeographic theory to forest management, and creating a practical model that supports diversity and preserves wildlife corridors. He developed methods for locating highway underpasses to best protect wildlife while improving traffic safety, and advised governments in Botswana, Costa Rica, Sweden, Oregon, and Florida on the development of conservation lands. Larry conducted field research and conservation lands development throughout Florida and the Everglades, as well as in Tanzania, Botswana, Haiti, and Oregon. He helped to establish and served on the Governor's Council on Florida Greenways; the Florida Wildlife Commission; and numerous other public service boards. Harris died at age 67 on August 15, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. He is survived by his wife, Kathleen Deagan, the Lockwood Professor of Caribbean and Florida Archaeology and a Florida Museum of Natural History Distinguished Research Curator, by their four grown children and their families, and by his two brothers and three sisters.
Extent
5.43 Linear feet (11 Boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Larry D. Harris volunteered as a wildlife game management officer (1964-1966) and biologist (1966-1967) supporting the creation of Mkomazi Game Reserve in Tanzania. Following receipt of his doctoral degree, he served for 27 years as an academic professor and consultant (1972-1999). The papers contain field notes, research data, and photographs he collected while working on his dissertation concerning wild game populations in Tanzania. Also included is material relating to his consulting work in Botswana and his work as a Professor of Wildlife and Range Sciences at the University of Florida.
Arrangement
Three series divide this collection broadly among Harris's long period of research in Tanzania, from a later period of consulting work in Botswana, and the teaching and administrative duties he had at UF. Titles of these are: I. Tanzania wildlife and Mkomazi Game Reserve; II. Botswana natural resources management and livestock development; and III. UF teaching, correspondence, and papers.
Physical Location
University of Florida Smathers Library Building
Acquisition Information
Professor Harris donated some of the collection materials himself. While initial processing took place at that time, additional materials were later donated by Prof. Deagan following his death. Accession was not completed until Aug. 26, 2014 when a deed was signed. These papers are identified only as "465 miscellaneous items (papers, documents, etc.)" in that document.
Processing Notes
A copy of Harris's dissertation was discarded from the collection because it is commercially available and held in circulating collections at Marston Science Library, although a folder of figures and photographs for the dissertation was retained. Illustrative materials from Harris's 1984 book The Fragmented Forest are included selectively because some were in poor condition (Mylar or plastic sheets detached from figures), or are better and more easily viewed in the published book. Series three includes a set of personal letters to Harris's family, written from 1960 to 1977.
- Title
- A Guide to the Larry D. Harris Papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Finding aid created by Dan Reboussin, with Andrew Wilson and Janna Royal
- Date
- January 2017
- Description rules
- Finding Aid Prepared Using Dacs
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Description is written in English.
Repository Details
Part of the Special and Area Studies Collections, George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida Repository
George A. Smathers Libraries
PO Box 117005
Gainesville Florida 32611-7005 United States of America
352-273-2755
special@uflib.ufl.edu