History of American Conservation Movement

Environmental History Tribal Era Native Americans: Hunters & Gatherers – Depleted renewable resource and moved on. – Deep respect for the resource – Low Ecological Impact Low population Limited technology Low affluence High stewardship

Environmental History Frontier Era ( ): Westward expansion: Taking over of a continent Infinite Resources Wilderness was the embodiment of evil It needs to be conquered Manifest Destiny 1845 Manifest Destiny: The pervasive belief in American cultural (Christianity) and racial superiority Andrew Jackson: Trail of Tears

Conservation Movement in America The Early Conservation Movement George Perkins Marsh Man and Nature published in 1864 voices concerns about the poor use of natural resources Easter Island Population in 1400 AD 15 – 20k 1. Depleted forest ecosystem 2. Soil erodes & becomes infertile 3. Lack of suitable soil promotes famine 4. Disease, famine, war destroyed the civilization Population in 1722 AD 2-3k

Environmental History Frontier Era ( ): Westward expansion: Taking over of a continent 1890 the “frontier” is closed 1891 Forest Reserve Act 1892 Yellowstone 1 st National Park T. Roosevelt ’01-’09 Golden Age of Conservation

Conservation Movement in America The Early Conservation Movement Preservationist John Muir – President Sierra Club (1892) Nature deserves to exist for its own sake - regardless of degree of usefulness to humans. (Biocentric Preservation) Idea led to the Wilderness Act of 1964Wilderness Act of 1964 Conservationist Gifford Pinchot- First Chief Forester(1905) “Greatest good for the greatest number for the longest time” Teddy Roosevelt 26 th President The Antiquities Act of June 8, 1906 allowed Roosevelt and his successors to proclaim "historic landmarks, historic or prehistoric structures, and other objects of historic or scientific interest" in federal ownership as national monuments. Hetch Hetchy Debate

Modern Environmental Movement The industrial expansion after WW II added new concerns to the environmental agenda. – Rachel Carson – awakened the public to the environmental threat posed by pesticides (DDT)in her book Silent Spring (1962) Ecosystem concept: wildlife & quality of air, water Conservation movement in America

Conservation movement in America Modern Environmental Movement Modern Environmental Movement s The Environmental Decade The field of ecology emerges – Earth Day – First Ecology Flag – EPA established 1970 – Endangered species act – Federal Land Policy & Management Act Sagebrush rebellion – Superfund-1980 Love Canal

Conservation movement in America Modern Environmental Movement Modern Environmental Movement s Environmental Backlash Farmers, ranchers, leaders of natural resource industries strongly opposed many environmental laws. Ronald Reagan increased use of public lands, cut federal funding for energy conservation, relaxed air and water quality standards Wise-use movement: weaken or repeal environmental laws & policies

Important Environmental Legislation 1906 : Antiquities Act: first law to protect cultural or natural resource. Gave the President the power to declare landmarks, structures or objects of historical or scientific importance as National Monuments. Grand Canyon is an example 1916: National Park Act: Parks are to be maintained in a manner that leaves them unimpaired for future generations. Wilderness Act of 1964: Authorized the protection of undeveloped public lands. Endangered Species Act of 1973: Provides for the conservation of ecosystems upon which threatened or endangered species of fish, wildlife, and plants depend.