Analysis Of Theodore Roosevelt's Passion For Conservation

Throughout his life, President Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919) was a zealous conversationalist. Even before his presidency, Theodore was actively involved in influencing national conservation policy and public opinion on the issue. Theodore Roosevelt implemented a myriad of public relations strategies to advance his environmental cause and raise public opinion of the movement. This paper will analyze Theodore's passion for conservation, which was exemplified by his intimate relationship and advocacy for Yellowstone National Park, and the techniques used to gain popular support for his environmental policies during his administration, which was highlighted by his 1908 speech at the Governors Conference on Conservation. The work will include a brief introduction to the conservation movement, and some of the major policies enacted during his time as president.

Due to severe exploitation and overuse, much of the once fertile lands of the United States had lost its nutrients and its natural resources were being depleted at an ever increasing rate. Facing the growing elimination of natural forests and American "wilderness", many American citizens grew critical of the federal government's support of laissez-faire capitalism and its unrestricted use of natural resources. The main tenant of the blossoming conservation movement was on display by Bernard Furrow (the first chief of the Division of Forestry), in his 1902 book, the Economics of Forestry, which professed an economic policy of providing " 'direction or guidance to development through resource conservation'" (Merchant, 143). In essence, the conservation movement was not petitioning for the complete termination of resource implementation but a utilitarian policy, which called for the efficient utilization of