The First Conservationist President

People often want to point fingers at wealthier people in the Park—those who have built the Great Camps in the Adirondacks and are continuing to develop the park with second homes. However, the United States political system attaches political power with wealth, and it is with that power that people are able to protect nature, such as the Adirondack Park. The powerful and wealthy individuals vacation in the Adirondacks--consequently falling in love with it and protecting it. Teddy Roosevelt’s love for nature led him to become one of the first conservationist Presidents, and he used his power to conserve and preserve nature all across the United States. The Adirondack Park is currently in its well-protected and preserved state as a result of individuals like Teddy Roosevelt.

            Roosevelt, a child of of wealth and privilege, was born in New York City, but was instantly drawn to the natural world (1). He was 12 when he first visited the Adirondacks in 1871, and returned many times after his initial visit. He published his first ornithological observations from the Adirondacks, The Summer Birds of the Adirondacks, in 1877 (1). He grew up visiting the Adirondacks, and by the time he became governor of New York in 1899, he was adamant in working to protect natural resources across the nation.

On September 14^th, 1901 in the town of Newcomb, New York, at approximately 2:15 A.M., Theodore Roosevelt was informed of the death of President William McKinley. Today, Roosevelt still holds a special place in the hearts of Newcomb, NY residents, besides for his conversation efforts.. Newcomb was the starting point of his midnight ride to the presidency, and the town hosts a Teddy Roosevelt weekend every year to honor the past President (3). Roosevelt became the President of the United States while hiking in the Adirondacks, and he became the first president of the 1900s, a crucial time of great expansion and development. Yet his Administration is marked by incredible conservation across the nation, as he was the first American President to find the long-term conservation of our natural resources an important goal (2).

Every year, the Town of Newcomb hosts a celebration weekend in honor of Teddy Roosevelt. (http://www.adirondackalmanack.com/tag/theodore-roosevelt)

Roosevelt used his power to “protect wildlife and public lands by creating the United States Forest Service and establishing 150 national forests, 51 federal bird preserves, 4 national game preserves, 5 national parks, and 18 national monuments by enabling the 1906 American Antiquities Act” (4). The American Antiquities Act allowed him to create national monuments without congressional approval, leading to the easier creation of national monuments compared to national parks. Roosevelt wasn’t planning to run for reelection, and thus he was “unconcerned about the reaction of lumber barons, cattlemen, and ine operators or their minions in Congress” (1). Throughout his presidency, he protected approximately 230 million acres of public land, 150 million of which was set aside at national forests (4).

Roosevelt’s conversation efforts, in a time pushing for industry and development, had lasting impacts on the environment today. His conversation efforts can be seen in the national parks, monuments, and preserves. He was born wealthy, with a love for nature, and it was through the combination of wealth, power, and love for nature that he was able to protect nature.

Sources:

(1) http://www.adirondackexplorer.org/book_reviews/the-wilderness-warrior-theodore-roosevelt-and-the-crusade-for-america

(2) http://www.adirondackalmanack.com/2008/09/teddy-roosevelt-and-the-adirondack-forest-preserve.html

(3) http://www.adirondack.net/things-to-do/teddy-roosevelt-days.cfm

(4) http://www.nps.gov/thro/learn/historyculture/theodore-roosevelt-and-conservation.htm