The Development of the American Conservation Movement Essay examples --

The Development of the American Conservation Movement John Muir helped the development of the American conservation movement during the late nineteenth century and the beginning of the twentieth century. The creation of the National Park Service, the creation of several major national parks, including Yosemite National Park and the creation of the Sierra Club were all because of John Muir. In the late nineteenth century America was in a stage of expansion and economic development that used as well as threatened much of the natural world. Much of the economic development was in the form of industrialization that took its toll of the environment with both its consumption of natural resources as well pollution. This expansion and economic development had adverse consequences on the environment of the United States. During this time of development many became aware of the damage being done to the natural world and attempted to prevent or limit this damage being done. It is during this time of both industrialization and spiritual awakening that the conservation movement arose with one of its most famous activists, John Muir. John Muir believed that for the future of America that the natural world should be protected. Muir felt that the environment of much of the United States was not protected properly and the locations that were protected were not managed adequately. Muir felt that Americans had much to gain from the protection of their national resources and park lands. In John Muir’s book Our National Parks, written in 1901 he states: â€Å"Awakening from the stupefying effects of the vice of over-industry and the deadly apathy of luxury, they are trying as best they can to mix and enrich their own... .... The conservation movement had grown and spread as a result of the industrialization of America. John Muir became a leader of this movement to protect the natural world for all generations. His outspoken actions were major influences in the protection of many national parks as well as the formal arrangement of the National Park System which today still protects our natural world. [i] John Muir, Our National Parks. ( Boston, New York: Houghton Milffin Company, 1901)pg.1. 2 John Muir, My First Summer in the Sierras. ( Boston, New York: Hougnton, Milffin Company, 1911)pg,138. 3 Henry Thoreau, Excursions. (Boston: Ticker and Fields, 1863)pg.41. 4 Gifford Pinchot. The Fight for Conservation.(New York: Doubleday,Page and Company, 1910) Summary 5 John Muir, My First Summer in the Sierras. ( Boston, New York: Houghton, Milffin Company, 1911)pg.196.