1. Lecture 3 The Modern Environmental Movement

2. Lecture 3: Outline I.Species of the day II.Beginnings of the Conservation Movement III.The Green Decade IV.The Endangered Species Act (1973) V.The 1980’s and the Post 9/11 World VI.The Rise of New Conservation Strategies (Ecosystem Management) VII.The Conservation Movement Today (Our Next President?)

3. Species of the Day Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis) Threats: Habitat loss Habitat fragmentation Increased predation Exposure to disease Increased competition for resources Conservation Status: Endangered, USFWS, 1998

4. Beginnings of the Conservation Movement Forest Reserve Act (1891) 1500 1600170018001900 2004 Romantic-Transcendentalism Thoreau Emerson Preservationist Ethic Muir Resource Conservation Ethic - Pinchot Evolutionary- ecological land ethic Leopold 1985 Society of Conservation Biology Ecosystem Management Anthropocentrism

5. Beginnings of the Conservation Movement Late 19 th Century Industrial Revolution Loss of the Western Frontier Over consumption of natural resources Rise of the Romantic Transcendental Conservation Ethic

6. Beginnings of the Conservation Movement Romantic Transcendentalism (early to mid-1800’s) Ralph Waldo EmersonHenry David Thoreau Viewed the natural world as a source not simply of material goods, but also of aesthetic satisfaction, philosophical insight, and spiritual solace. “A lake is the landscape's most beautiful and expressive feature. It is Earth's eye; looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature.” ~ Thoreau

7. Beginnings of the Conservation Movement Forest Reserve Act (1891) 1500 1600170018001900 2004 Romantic-Transcendentalism Thoreau Emerson Preservationist Ethic Muir Resource Conservation Ethic - Pinchot Evolutionary- ecological land ethic Leopold 1985 Society of Conservation Biology Ecosystem Management Anthropocentrism

8. Beginnings of the Conservation Movement Intrinsic value of nature and typified in the romantic- transcendental movement. Focused on the usefulness of resources as well. Embodied the idea of preservation. Established the Sierra Club. John Muir (1838-1914) "Why should man value himself as more than a small part of the one great unit of creation? And what creature of all that the Lord has taken the pains to make is not essential to the completeness of that unit - the cosmos? The universe would be incomplete without man; but it would also be incomplete without the smallest transmicroscopic creature that dwells beyond our conceitful eyes and knowledge." A Thousand Mile Walk to the GulfA Thousand Mile Walk to the Gulf Preservationist Ethic

9. Beginning of the Conservation Movement Forest Reserve Act (1891) 1500 1600170018001900 2004 Romantic-Transcendentalism Thoreau Emerson Preservationist Ethic Muir Resource Conservation Ethic - Pinchot Evolutionary- ecological land ethic Leopold 1985 Society of Conservation Biology Ecosystem Management Anthropocentrism

10. Beginning of the Conservation Movement Gifford Pinchot (1865-1946) First American scientist trained in forest management. Emphasized utilitarian approach to management. Embodied the “resource conservation ethic” Was the first Chief of the U.S. Forest Service Some terminology: Sustained yield Conservation “The forest rightly handled – given the chance – is, next to the earth itself, the most useful servant of man.” “There are just two things on this material earth – people and natural resources” “The great fact of conservation is that it stands for development.” Pinchot quotes: Resource Conservation

11. Evolutionary/Ecological Land Ethic: Aldo Leopold (1887-1948) Emphasized combining conservation and preservation. Must have a basic appreciation of the biotic community as a whole Protect at least samples of each different kind of community Use resources conservatively with high regard for native diversity and ecological functions Revise management based on new scientific knowledge Actively restore wherever feasible Identify and work to change the social and economic forces that constrain the above actions Beginning of the Conservation Movement

12. The Green Decade (1970-1980) 1960’s – Social unrest, end of this period results in a well defined environmental movement Silent Spring by Rachel Carson (1962) Period of alternative thought (art, music, science, etc.) Environmental movement becomes a political and public issue Numerous environmental groups are formed

13. The Green Decade (1970-1980) The Endangered Species Act (1973) Endangered Species: Any species threatened with extinction throughout a significant portion of its range Threatened Species: Any species likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range. “ Provide a means by whereby the ecosystems upon which endangered species and threatened species depend may conserved and to provide a program for the conservation of such endangered and threatened species.”

14. The 1980’s and the Post 9/11 World From Carter to Reagan Reagan deregulation and the environment Bush as the environmental President Ozone layer Global warming Employment vs. the environment

15. The 1980’s and the Post 9/11 World From Clinton: Increased funding for scientific research Developed new initiatives to improve energy efficiency Increased enforcement of environmental laws Preserved millions of acres in national parks and wilderness areas Instigated long term protection of wilderness in roadless areas. To Bush (again) Decreased federal govt. involvement in favor of local or state govt. Increased funding for nuclear power Won’t ratify the Kyoto Protocol, has his own plan Healthy Forests Initiative Created wetland restoration programs Wants to simplify the ESA and reduce complexity of environmental legislation Believes in oversight of scientists that influence policy

16. New Conservation Approaches Land management approach that considers the biological needs of a large area of land. It is management for the health of the whole ecosystem by providing for the preservation and restoration of plants, animals, soil, and water while also providing for things important to people, such as food and recreation. Ecosystem management is the skillful, integrated use of ecological knowledge at various scales to produce desired resource values, products, and services in ways that also sustain the diversity and productivity of ecosystems. Ecosystem Management:

17. New Conservation Approaches Ecosystem Management:

18. The Conservation Movement Today http :// www.grist.org/candidate_chart_08.html Our Next President? Obama\McCain Environmental Comparison