1. Modern Conservation Era Modern Conservation Era 1870-1930 Newly formed private groups and the government worked to protect more of the nation’s natural resources and improve public health

2. Conserve… Theodore Roosevelt’s term of office (1901-1909) was known as the Golden Age of Conservation –Persuaded Congress to give the president power to designate public land as federal wildlife refuges –More than tripled size of national forest reserves Was led by Roosevelt and chief of the US Forest service, Gifford Pinchot, who believed all public lands should be managed wisely to provide needed resources

3. …and Preserve! John Muir, nature preservationist and activist, founded the Sierra Club –Largely responsible for establishing Yosemite National Park in 1890 Preservationist movement called for protecting large areas of wilderness on public lands from human exploitation, except for low-impact recreational activities

4. Acted Out! Forest Reserve Act 1891 –Allowed president to protect public forest reserves Antiquities Act 1906 –President allowed to designate national monuments Public Health Service Act 1912 –Water pollution open to investigation by government authorities National Park Service Act 1916 –Established national parks to be maintained for future generations

5. Yosemite National Park – Established 1890

6. Pelican Island – Established in 1903 by Theodore Roosevelt WILD BEASTS AND BIRDS ARE BY RIGHT NOT THE PROPERTY MERELY OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE ALIVE TODAY, BUT THE PROPERTY OF UNKNOWN GENERATIONS, WHOSE BELONGINGS WE HAVE NO RIGHT TO SQUANDER." – PRESIDENT THEODORE ROOSEVELT

7. Sources "Forest Reserve Act of 1891." History Research Guide. 1 Sept. 2008. 11 Sept. 2008. Miller, G. Tyler. "Supplement Five: Overview of US Environmental History." Living in the Environment : Principles, Connections, and Solutions. Belmont: Thomson, 2006. S16-18. "Pelican Island." U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. National Wildlife Refuge System. 12 Sept. 2008. "The Antiquities Act of 1906." About.com: U.S. and Canadian Parks. 1 June 2004. 11 Sept. 2008. "Yosemite National Park." National Park Service. 7 Aug. 2008. U.S. Department of the Interior. 12 Sept. 2008. Images http://pelicanislandfriends.org/images/-Pelican_Island.jpg http://www.desktopscenes.com/Scenes%20from%20a%20Day%20at%20Y osemite%20(2003)/Yosemite%20Valley%20View%20Panorama.jpg