May Petrea Theilgaard Watts (1893-1975): Champion of Prairie Landscapes and Rails-to-Trails Advocacy May Petrea Theilgaard Watts (born May 1, 1893, United States) was a multifaceted artist and naturalist whose unwavering dedication to preserving America’s natural heritage cemented her place as a pivotal figure in the mid-20th century conservation movement. More than just an illustrator—though she excelled in that field—Watts possessed a profound understanding of botany and ecology, translating this knowledge into evocative depictions of Midwestern landscapes and passionately advocating for…