"Les Line, who as editor of the magazine of the National Audubon Society for 25 years expanded its mission beyond birds and beasts to environmental issues like oil spills, died on May 23 in Sharon, Conn. He was 74.

The cause was heart failure, his wife, Lois, said.

In Mr. Line’s time as editor, from 1966 to 1991, the circulation of the magazine, Audubon, increased by 14 times, to almost 500,000, as membership in the society grew. He won particular praise for sprucing up its visual appeal, adding color and clarity to its photography."

Douglas Martin reports for the New York Times May 30, 2010. [2]