John Morrill Helped Pioneer Study of Area's Ecology

John Morrill, a Sarasota educator, was as much at home wading through a saltwater bay as he was teaching in a classroom, and some of his environmental studies still resonate locally years after he completed them.

John Morrill, 80, was a professor of biology at New College of Florida. Morrill, a longtime New College of Florida biology professor, died on Monday, Aug. 16th, from liver cancer. He was 80.

Morrill led the school's environmental studies program during the mid-1970s. He was named professor emeritus and continued with research after his retirement in 2000.

Morrill was known for his studies of Southwest Florida ecology, including the areas of Lemon Bay and Midnight Pass that became heated political issues.

A memorial service is being planned for later this week.

Morrill, born in Chicago, earned degrees from Grinnell College, Iowa State University and Florida State University.