1. United States Conservation
IAFNR Module 4
Natural Resources

2. Conservation Definition Need for conservation at its greatest
The use of a natural resource in such a way as to minimize waste and maintain the resource in as good a condition as practical
Need for conservation at its greatest
Exploitation left us with scarce resources
the use of natural resources without replacement
Future increase in world population
History of conservation in US
Wildlife Management
Forest Management
Soil and Water Conservation
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3. Wildlife Management
Early accounts of America’s wildlife speak of “incredible numbers of deer, rabbits, and birds
1600’s
First deer hunting regulations imposed in colonies
By late 1600’s deer herds were almost completely gone
1844: New York Sporting Club formed
Made up of men who hunted for sport
Promoted restrictions against market hunters
1865: Massachusetts Fish and Game Commission
First state-administered agency
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4. Wildlife Management 1900: Lacey Act 1918: Migratory Bird Treaty Act
First federal act dealing with wildlife
Any interstate transportation of game harvested illegally was a federal crime
1918: Migratory Bird Treaty Act
Protection of birds that migrated between different countries
1934: Duck Stamps
Law required duck hunters to purchase a $1 stamp
1940: United States Fish and Wildlife Service
Today, every state operates a fish and wildlife agency

5. Forest Management 1700-1800 1875: American Forestry Association
US effort for live oak preservation
Building military ships (not forest conservation)
1875: American Forestry Association
Eventually became United States Forest Service in 1905
Promoted timber culture and forestry
Week’s Law of 1911
Presidential authority to purchase forest lands for river protection
WWI & WWII
Expansion of forestry, uses for war and housing
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6. Soil Conservation Early Soil Abuse
Erosion, Agricultural Production, Overgrazing
Early 1900’s-First Soil Surveys by USDA
Showed erosion issues
1933: Soil Erosion Service
Later the Natural Resources Conservation Service
1937: President FDR established conservation districts
Grants for farmers as incentive for soil-building and conservation practices
Other agencies began to enter field of conservation

7. Water Management 1879: Mississippi River Commission
Help states improve the river for transportation
Rivers and Harbor Acts of
Federal support for all navigable rivers like Mississippi
1936: Flood Canal Act & : Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act
Dedicated responsibility to local organizations for planning and prevention
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8. Flood Preparation: Hurricane Katrina
The most destructive storm in US history in terms of cost
Estimated almost 1,833 deaths from the storm
The best modern example for why flood preparation and prevention are a priority
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9. Modern Water Management Concerns
Water Quality
Distribution of Water Supply
With increase in population, industry, and irrigation farming quantity of water use has grown drastically
Concern with quality of life
Americans demand cleaner water
Federal Legislation put into place about health concerns of wastewater and pollution
Lowered water tables in western states result from deep-well irrigation
Increasing problem for western US that must be addressed

10. References
Camp. W., & Heath-Camp, B. (2009) Managing our Natural Resources. New York: Delmar. Natural Resource [Def. 1]. (n.d.). In Merriam Webster Online, Retrieved February 24, 2015, from webster.com/dictionary/natural%20resource.