Conservation/Preservation during the Progressive Era

The Idea of Nature and the Wild in US
History
• Nature often glorified/romanticized in literature and art.
• James Fennimore Cooper
• Transcendentalists
• Jack London

Concern over Nature
• As the U.S. became more industrialized, more people became concerned about the impact on the environment.
• People also concerned about the overuse of natural resources.
• As country becomes more urbanized, people want to make sure that there are areas that remain undeveloped so people can enjoy nature.

National Parks
• Govt. begins creating national parks—areas that the govt. owns and keeps undeveloped for public enjoyment.
• Yellowstone (1872)
• Yosemite (1890)

National Monuments

The Progressive Era
• Antiquities Act (1906) Gives the pres. The power to declare areas to be national monuments. (To prevent “pot hunters” from removing Indian artifacts.)
• National Park Service (1916) Govt. agency to oversee and run national parks.

Three Approaches to Resources
• Total Use—use as much as is necessary for human consumption. (ex. = clear-cut logging).
• Conservation = managed use of resources. Make sure that you do not use all. (Ex = planting trees after logging, hunting/fishing limits, etc.).
• Preservation = Preserving nature. Not using certain portions of land, animals. (ex = national parks, endangered species acts, etc.).

Sierra Club
• Environmental organization founded in 1892.
• John Muir is founder/president.
• Dedicated to preserving nature
(preservationists).

Hetch Hetchy Controversy
• Part of Yosemite National Park.
• Renowned for its beauty
• Has a river running through it.
• Some people wanted to dam the river to provide water for San Francisco.
• Others protested because it would ruin this pristine part of nature.

The water side prevailed

Wrap Up
• What is the difference between conservation and preservation?
• Give an example of each.
• Which approach do you favor, and why?