WASHINGTON, D.C. ­– Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement honoring the life of noted Maine outdoorsman George Smith, who passed away last night following a battle with ALS:

“I loved George Smith. He spent his life exploring the Maine outdoors – and if you asked him, there was no better way to live. That is why George used every tool at his disposal to share these natural treasures with millions. As a prolific and talented writer, George’s tales of adventure encouraged countless Maine people to take a walk in the woods; as a dogged advocate and natural leader, he spent decades supporting conservation efforts to make public lands more accessible for everyone. He was tough, smart, and deeply determined to protect the boundless beauty of Maine. Nature speaks a language of its own – one that George spoke fluently, with joy in his heart.

“Mary and I are deeply saddened by the loss of our dear friend, and our hearts break for his family. Though George is gone, I hope all who loved him can take comfort in the fact that his legacy is all around us – from the adventurers he inspired to the lands he protected, his impact will live on for generations. The next time I’m stopped in my tracks by a beautiful Maine landscape, I’ll be thinking of George – who never lost his sense of wonder, and never stopped trying to share it with others.”