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How Did John Muir Contribute To The Conservation Movement

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Throughout the history of the United States, many significant figures and groups have taken stands for what they believe in. Perhaps one of the most overlooked, yet successful of these groups is the environmentalist and conservation movement. Just over 150 years ago, a movement sparked within a Scottish-American immigrant named John Muir. He pledged to dedicate his time to standing up for and protecting the environment. Muir was only the beginning of this powerful movement, as he helped to make way for the movement in national politics. The work by Muir initiated a larger national conservation movement carried out by numerous presidents. Theodore Roosevelt, brought environmental protection to a whole new level during his presidency. Franklin …show more content…

Publishing articles in the Century, popular support for Muir developed from the public. With the help of Underwood Johnson (publisher of the Century), Muir helped introduce a bill to Congress that would establish Yosemite National Park. Sheep ranching and lumbering were to be outlawed in 1500 square miles of Sierra forest when the bill passed on October 1st (Muir Book, 30-31). This was a key contribution for John Muir, it truly established his leadership position in the conservation movement. Nonetheless, Muir moved on modestly with his effort. Just a few years leader in May of 1892, Muir, Warren Olney, and J. H. Senger collaboratively founded the Sierra Club. Placing Muir as the club’s leader, they aimed at conserving the environment and fighting back against big businesses trying to impede on the environment (Muir Book, 32). The Sierra club turned out to be extremely successful in its efforts. Just a year after the clubs creation, President Benjamin Harrison had already reserved 13 million acres of land as forest reserves. The Sierra Club certainly helped to achieve this (Muir Book, 33). In 1894, …show more content…

Similar to Muir, Roosevelt’s love for the environment developed at a young age. It was in college however when he recognized his true desire to help protect it. During his education at Harvard, Roosevelt began to encourage environmental embracement, publishing works about nature. Also during this time he began to go on expeditions to Maine where he picked up many outdoor skills and grew closer to the environment (Sandy - Roosevelt). In 1888 Roosevelt became involved in true conservation when he founded and joined the Boone and Crockett Club. The club aimed at protecting 'big game' species and their environments (Sandy - Roosevelt). This was the first notable ‘stand’ Roosevelt took for protecting the nation’s environment. Overseen by his actions during his presidency, is Roosevelt’s actions during his governorship of New York. In his two years as governor, Teddy was adamant about eliminating pollution, especially water pollution. He issued an order that prohibited the dumping of waste and sewage into the Saratoga Lake. He also established sewage facilities at Saratoga Springs that treated waste before it was put into the water (Curtis, TR legacy). Roosevelt, as New York governor put in a considerable amount of time into cleansing and protecting the environment. By prohibiting dumping and other unhealthy actions such as the ones previously

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Muir liked that Yellowstone National Park was created to protect the wildlife, and he wanted to help create more. In 1890, he helped create Yosemite National Park. He then helped established Sequoia, Mount Rainier, Petrified Forest, and Grand Canyon National Park. John’s book Our National Parks, a book showing what the national parks are like, and his ideas inspired Theodore Roosevelt to make conservation programs. One of his programs set aside two hundred-thirty million acres of land to mostly be preserved.

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Forest Service, the establishment of a "formal press bureau", and the placement of scientific forestry at the forefront of Theodore's public conservation campaign (Ponder, 549). In addition, Pinchot composed and aided Theodore Roosevelt in 30 presidential speeches, messages to Congress, media interviews and a multitude of other types of correspondence issued from 1901-1909. Besides a prolific amount of correspondence, Theodore, with the help of Pinchot and commissioner of the General Land Office W.A. Richards, launched a Public Land Commissions in 1903 to carry out a public set of hearing and investigations on federal land laws. As a result of these hearings, which took place across the country, and other events such as the American Forest Congress of 1905 (where

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2. Theodore Roosevelt was considered to be the “First Modern President because he had a strong- firm personality, and showed aggressive actions towards others. Roosevelt believed that the President had the right to use all power unless they were denied to him. Also, that he has a responsibility to the people, and so challenged himself to avoid notions of limited government and individualism; the government he controlled should maintain as an agent who should give the people what they want. Roosevelt’s presidency opened up creativity of progressive movement, lending the prestige of the White House to welfare legislation, government regulation, and the conservation movement.

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Prior to losing the election of 1912, he helped the U.S with by doing anything he could to uphold America and its citizens. He also aided in American access to the Panama Canal. On economical terms, Roosevelt was the trust-buster, breaking all of the bad trusts in big businesses. He also was the president who enforced the Sherman Antitrust Act. Socially, he preserved millions of acres of land, entitling citizens to interact and have leisure time, and wildlife to prosper.

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From a young age, Theodore loved studying and being with wildlife and nature. He was taught how to camp, hunt, clean and butcher game, and live off the land. This was truly an unexpected passion of the Roosevelt family considering their social status.

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