Transcript
Page 1: History of American Conservation Movement

History of American Conservation Movement

Page 2: History of American Conservation Movement

Environmental HistoryTribal 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

Page 3: History of American Conservation Movement

Environmental HistoryFrontier Era ( 1607-1890): 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

Page 4: History of American Conservation Movement

Conservation Movement in AmericaThe Early Conservation Movement 1832-1960

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

Page 5: History of American Conservation Movement

Environmental HistoryFrontier Era ( 1607-1890): Westward expansion: Taking over of a continent

1890 the “frontier” is closed 1891 Forest Reserve Act1892 Yellowstone 1st National

Park T. Roosevelt ’01-’09Golden Age of Conservation

Page 6: History of American Conservation Movement

Conservation Movement in AmericaThe Early Conservation Movement 1870-1930

PreservationistJohn 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 1964

Conservationist Gifford Pinchot-First Chief Forester(1905)“Greatest good for the greatest number for the longest time”

Teddy Roosevelt26th President 1901-09The 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

Page 7: History of American Conservation Movement

Modern Environmental Movement 1960-2004• 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

Page 8: History of American Conservation Movement

Conservation movement in AmericaModern Environmental Movement 1960-2004

• 1970s The Environmental Decade The field of ecology emerges – Earth Day 4-20-1970– First Ecology Flag– EPA established 1970 – Endangered species act -1973– Federal Land Policy & Management Act -1978

• Sagebrush rebellion

– Superfund-1980• Love Canal

Page 9: History of American Conservation Movement

Conservation movement in AmericaModern Environmental Movement 1960-2004

• 1980s 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

Page 10: History of American Conservation Movement

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.


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