THE CONSERVATION MOVEMENT IN THE UNITED STATES

LATE 19TH/20TH CENTURIES

Yosemite National Park

Conservation vs. Preservation

What is conservation? -the wise use of the earth's resources by humanity

-the sustainable use and management of natural resources including wildlife, water, air, and earth deposits

  What is preservation? - to keep natural resources in perfect or unaltered condition - to maintain in their present condition areas of the Earth that

are so far untouched by humans

 The Primary difference -Preservation protects species or landscapes without reference

to natural change in living systems or to human requirements -Conservation protects and support managed use of the species

and the natural landscape resources

John Muir and the Sierra Club

naturalist, explorer, writer, and conservationist   In 1868, he visited Yosemite for first time claiming the region "the most divinely

beautiful of all the mountain chains I have ever seen"    He wrote a series of articles appearing in Century magazine, drawing attention to

the devastation of mountain meadows and forests by sheep and cattle   In 1892, Muir and a number of his supporters founded the Sierra Club to "do

something for wildness and make the mountains glad." The Sierra Club works to protect communities, wild places, and the planet itself. It

is the oldest, largest, and most influential grassroots environmental organization in the United States

  1901,-Muir published Our National Parks, receiving the attention of President

Theodore Roosevelt

In 1903, Roosevelt visited Muir in Yosemite. There, together, beneath the trees, they laid the foundation of Roosevelt's innovative and notable conservation programs.

TR and Muir at Yosemite

Teddy RooseveltThe Progressive President

As a former rancher and active hunter, TR saw first-hand the effects of humanity on the changing face of the American West

1903-TR teamed up with fellow exuberant, John Muir, for an extended hiking trip in Yosemite.

  TR witnessed the over-cutting of forests, over-grazing by herds, efforts to control water

sources, the dramatic decrease in animal populations (dramatically personified by the near-extinction of the buffalo), mounting violence between open-range proponents vs. ranchers who wanted to fence their property, the movement of Indian populations onto reservations, the expansion of mining and timber industries, and the rapid expansion of railroads

  TR's conservation policies included an American frontier ideal while addressing the

realities of the changing face of the west. 1909 TR used executive power to transfer 125 million acres to the forest reserves   Thanks to TR, five national parks were created, along with 150 national forests, 51 bird

refuges, four national game preserves, 18 national monuments (including the Grand Canyon which later became a national park), 24 reclamation projects, and the National Forest Service

 

TR after a hunting expedition in Africa

Artist rendition of TR hunting

Gifford Pinchotthe U.S. Forest Service

"Caring for the land and serving people. "

In 1905, TR and Pinchot founded the U.S. Forest Service and Society of American Foresters

  “Conservation means the wise use of the earth and its resources for the lasting good

of men” Gifford Pinchot

Gifford garnered a forestry education in Europe, bringing it back to North America . He is the first professional forester.

  Under Pinchot, representing the Forest Service and the Teddy Roosevelt

administration, millions of acres were added to the national forests where the federal government controlled their use and regulated their harvest.

  He fought for wiser use of natural resources and for fuller justice for the average

citizen. Because of his political beliefs, Pinchot was never far away from controversy.

The Controversy: Preservationists on the left (including John Muir) opposed Pinchot’s commercialization

of the land. On the right, Congress, responding to private pressures became increasingly hostile even to Pinchot's Wise Use causes.

TR and Pinchot/Pinchot National Forest

The Role of the Hunter

Hunters have been driving forces throughout history in the movement to ensure long-term sustainability of natural resources and wildlife habitats

Because of their connection with the land and vested interest in increasing wildlife populations, hunters have been influential in implementing and financing various programs geared towards habitat restoration and conservation.

In 1937, hunters successfully lobbied Congress to pass the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act, which placed an 11% tax on all hunting equipment. This self-imposed tax now generates over $700 million each year and is used exclusively to establish, restore and protect wildlife habitats

Additional Teacher/Student Resources

John Muir Exhibition http://www.sierraclub.org/john_muir_exhibit/

frameindex.html?http://www.sierraclub.org/john_muir_exhibit/life/muir_biography.html

The Sierra Club Foundation http://www.sierraclub.org/foundation/ Teddy Roosevelt Conservation partnership http://www.trcp.org/ Theodore Roosevelt http://www.pbs.org/weta/thewest/people/i_r/

roosevelt.html Pinchot Partners http://www.pinchotpartners.org/history.html