Dorothy Miller’s love of birds and concern for protecting their natural habitat exploded into conservation advocacy for the White Clay Creek. As a frequent hiker in the creek area and member of the Newark Bird Club, she knew exactly what was endangered by the proposed dam: 33 species of mammals, 27 species of amphibians and reptiles including the endangered bog turtle, 24 species of fish, and 93 species of birds. Historic features in the area included 18th- and 19th-century mills, railroads, homes, churches, schoolhouses, and the site of the Minquannan Indian Village. Miller found fellow opponents of the proposed dam, particularly in Don Sharpe of the United Auto Workers and Dennis Neuzil of the Delaware Sierra Club, though as many as 22 other organizations also joined the fight. Miller was a leader in new umbrella organizations, the Coalition for Natural Stream Valleys and the Citizens for White Clay Creek, and was an active member in several of the other groups.
Items on display in Library exhibit:
1. Save the White Clay Creek/ Don't Dam it (bumper sticker), circa 1970.
2. “25,000 unite for conservation” (newsclipping from the Weekly), 1970 January 14
3. “Chazz” note of congratulations on the naming of Lamborn Run to Dorothy Miller, 1977
4. Invitation from the DuPont Company, State of the Delaware and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on the occasion of conveyance of deeds for the gift of the White Clay Creek Preserve, 1984 October 16
