Plant research and teaching
Goodwin received his Harvard biology doctorate in 1937 and studied plant hormones in Copenhagen. Returning in 1938, he taught botany at Rochester and worked with its herbarium.
In 1944 he became professor of botany and arboretum director at Connecticut College, bringing experimental study and field materials into teaching.
Protected land as a teaching site
Goodwin developed the college arboretum as protected land and a natural laboratory for students.
In 1964 he transferred its management to William Niering while concentrating more on conservation. Their collaboration was later recognized in the naming of the college’s environmental center.
References: [2]
Professionalizing a conservation organization
Goodwin helped build The Nature Conservancy and served as president in 1956–1958 and 1964–1966. He also participated in negotiations to preserve California coastal forest.
During his second term he supported replacing wholly volunteer leadership with a paid president appointed by the board. A multiyear Ford Foundation grant in 1966 supported that transition.
References: [1]
Human ecology and research records
In the late 1960s Goodwin helped establish human ecology at the college, connecting natural science and public policy.
He also developed Burnham Brook Preserve and collected investigations by students, faculty and other researchers. Protection secured both a place and a continuing record for research and teaching.