What are NR’s?

• Tangible substance• Function or useFunction or use

What is an environment?

• A collection of NR’s in a defined area

What is a Ecosystem

• All of the ecological processes in a n environment

What is wilderness?

• Theoretically an undisturbed environment

• Big “W”• Little “w”• Little “w”

U S History and theU. S. History and the Environment

• Growth of the U.S.• Traditional view of NRsTraditional view of NRs• 1890 closing of the frontier

C i d l i• Conservation and population

Modern View of theModern View of the Environment

• Technology• WildernessWilderness• Product of civilization

3 d ld• 3rd world

European View of Wilderness

• European landscape of the 1600s• Perception of wildernessPerception of wilderness • Basis of bias

R li i- Religion- Superstition and folklore

Settlers View of the NASettlers View of the NA Wilderness

• Paradise Myth• RealityReality• Not prepared to live “with” the env.

Settlers’ Bias on the Frontier

• Safety• Effect of wildernessEffect of wilderness• Doing God’s work – Manifest Destiny

Wild• Wilderness = waste

Romanticism

• Late 1700s – mid 1800s• Urban educated wealthyUrban, educated, wealthy• Writers and artists

C i id i h h h f i• Coincides with the growth of sciences• Enthusiasm for wild places

Romanticism

• Sublimity• AweAwe• Deism

G h k h• Great watchmaker theory• Primitivism• The noble savage

Start of the AmericanStart of the American Environmental Movement

• Europe = history, cities, culture• U S = Wilderness NRsU.S. Wilderness, NRs• American wilderness = American character

M if D i• Manifest Destiny

Hudson River School

• American wild landscape as inspiration• Thomas ColeThomas Cole• First American art form

Vi f A i i i• View of American artist, writer, etc

Henry David Thoreau

• 1817 – 1862• “In wilderness is the preservation of man”In wilderness is the preservation of man

1851• Philosopher• Philosopher• Emerson

Transcendentalism

• 2 levels of reality• Lower material object worldLower material object world• Higher spiritual truth world

N l bj fl d i i l h if• Natural objects reflected spiritual truth if seen correctly

• Must use imagination and intuition as opposed to rational understanding

Thoreau’s Life

• Early wilderness is best• Walden PondWalden Pond• Trip to Maine

L lif hil h 1 f i 1 f• Later life philosophy – 1 foot in 1 foot out• Value of civilization• Value of wilderness for people -

anthropocentricp

Call for Preservation

• By mid 1800s regret loss of wilderness• References to environmental destructionReferences to environmental destruction• Harmonic theory

T d f h• Tragedy of the commons• Changes in ownership and control of NRs• Hot Springs AR, Niagara Falls

-Economic value – not environmental valuesEconomic value not environmental values

Yellowstone

• First reports of the region• 1870 expedition1870 expedition• 1871 expedition

N h P ifi R il d• Northern Pacific Railroad• 1872 Yellowstone Park Act• 1886 railroad debate

Adirondack Park

• Location/topography/climate/exploration• Impact of timberingImpact of timbering• Commerce

W l h• Wealthy sportsmen

Adirondack Park

• 1885 Forest Preserve• 1892 Adirondack Park1892 Adirondack Park• 1894 Forever Wild clause

T d• Today

The Conservation MovementThe Conservation Movement1890 -1970

• Closing of the frontier 1890• Extend use of the remaining NRsExtend use of the remaining NRs• > population, urbanization, industrialization

A i C l d id i• American Culture and identity• Progressive movement

The Progressive MovementThe Progressive Movement1900 - 1920

• Governments responsibility• Justice and orderJustice and order• Counter monopolies

John MuirJohn Muir1838 - 1914

• Wilderness protection and “preservation”• Value of nature for natureValue of nature for nature• Popular writer and speaker

John Muir

• His life• His philosophy – PreservationHis philosophy Preservation• Comparison to Thoreau

Hi i• His impact

Gifford PinchotGifford Pinchot1865 - 1946

• His life• His philosophy – conservationHis philosophy conservation• His impact

Theodore RooseveltTheodore Roosevelt1858 - 1919

• His life• His philosophy – NationalismHis philosophy Nationalism• His impact

Conservation versus Preservation

• Muir & Pinchot• Influence on RooseveltInfluence on Roosevelt• Forest Reserve Act of 1891

F M A f 1897• Forest Management Act of 1897• The future

Changing View of Nature

• Joe Knowles story• Why the changeWhy the change

– No longer a need to “battle” natureVisit nature for leisure– Visit nature for leisure

– City view of pioneer qualitiesD li i t t f it i t– Declining state of city environment

Changing Perception ofChanging Perception of American Culture

• Impact of immigration• Business values and city lifeBusiness values and city life• Growth of government and industry versus

the individualthe individual

Response to Changing Perception

• Fredrick Jackson Turner 1896• Robert Baden Powell 1907Robert Baden Powell 1907• Theodore Roosevelt 1893, 1903

Willi K @1908• William Kent @1908• Result

Hetch Hetchy

• 1882 – 1913• The issueThe issue• Pinchot, Muir, Roosevelt

P bli i i• Public opinion• 1909 vote

Hetch Hetchy

• Conservationist view of recreation• Preservationist responsePreservationist response• Progressive view

Willi K• William Kent• 1913 vote• Result

Conservation toConservation to Environmentalism

• 1921 – 1970• Focus on management of NRFocus on management of NR

interrelationships and processes• Federal government leadership• Federal government leadership• $ and planning• Large regional projects ex. TVA, CCC, AT

Conservation toConservation to Environmentalism

• Goals (by end of 1960s)- protect environmental qualityprotect environmental quality- maintain physical base of all life

f i l l- manage for non-material values * recreation* scenery* solitude solitude

Aldo LeopoldAldo Leopold1886 - 1948

• Early life• Forest Service yearsForest Service years• Gila NF 1924

L 20 l i 1929• L-20 regulations 1929

Leopold’s Benefits of Wilderness

• Cultural heritage• The remnantThe remnant• Primitive forms of recreation

L ildlif h bi• Large wildlife habitat• For science

Leopold’s Land Ethic

• A Sand County Almanac 1949• Enlarges the boundaryEnlarges the boundary• Changes the role

V l h i lf i• Value > than economic self interest• Ethical behavior

Bob MarshallBob Marshall1901 - 1939

• His life• Ideas – actionIdeas action• Forest Service

U l i• U regulations• Wilderness Society 1935

Marshall’s Benefits ofMarshall s Benefits of Wilderness

• Health• Self sufficiencySelf sufficiency• Esthetic

M l• Mental

Echo Park Dam

• 1940s - 1955• Colorado River Storage project planColorado River Storage project plan• Dinosaur National Monument

H h H h• Hetch Hetchy• David Brower• Howard Zahniser• OutcomeOutcome

Wilderness Act of 1964

• Role of Zahniser• Zahniser’s reasons for protectionZahniser s reasons for protection1. Take the offensive2 E bli h i l2. Establish a national system3. Move to legislative protection• Outcome

Grand Canyon Dams

• Colorado River Storage project 1956• Glen Canyon Dam 1963 – Lake PowellGlen Canyon Dam 1963 Lake Powell• Impact on the environmental movement

Grand Canyon Dams cont.

• Lower Colorado River – 2 dams 1963• Result = flood 40 mi GCNM 13 mi GCNPResult flood 40 mi. GCNM, 13 mi. GCNP• GCNP act 1919

Grand Canyon Dams cont.

• David Brower• IRS controversyIRS controversy• No Hetch Hetchy mistakes

N i• No compromise• H. Zahniser on progress

Grand Canyon Dams Results

• 1968 congress abandons project• Political support vs public opinionPolitical support vs. public opinion• Illustrates the change from CM to EM

Si l b b hi• Sierra club membership• Wild and Scenic River act 1968• Change from Hetch Hetchy

New EnvironmentalismNew Environmentalism 1970 - Present

• Wilderness being loved to death• Reasons for this trendReasons for this trend

- Technology changeT i h- Transportation change

- Information growth- Intellectual revolution

New Environmentalism cont.

• 1970 Earth Day• Growth in Environmental lawsGrowth in Environmental laws

- NEPA 1970M d i f ild• Modern view of wilderness- Sigurd Olson- John Milton

Changing EnvironmentalChanging Environmental Perception

• Howard Zahniser• Spaceship earthSpaceship earth• Counter culture break from the mainstream

G S d• Gary Snyder• Eddy Abbey

Anthropcentrism

• Mainstream or modern environmentalism• Shallow ecologyShallow ecology• Traditional type support groups

Si Cl b 1892 600 000 b- Sierra Club 1892 – 600,000 members (passive) 2000- Audubon Society 1905- Wilderness Society 1936y

Biocentricism

• New or ecocentric environmentalism• Deep ecologyp gy• Direct Action support groups

- Friends of Earth 1969- Green Peace 1969- Earth First! 1981 – 12 000 members (active)Earth First! 1981 12,000 members (active) 1988- Earth Liberation Front (ELF) ?( )

Deep vs Shallow Ecology

Shallow Ecology- Dominance over nature- Env. = resources for humans- Ample NRs reservesp- Material, economic, consumer growth- Solutions to env Problems in science andSolutions to env. Problems in science and

technology- National centralized focus

Deep vs Shallow Ecology

Deep Ecology- Harmony with naturey- All nature has intrinsic equal worth- Simple material need (self realization)p ( )- NRs are limited- Suspicion of science and technologySuspicion of science and technology- Focus on traditional culture and bioregionalism

Reasons for the the split ofReasons for the the split of ME & NE

• MEs are reformist working within the systemy

• MEs are anthropocentric • MEs are alienated from grass root idealism• MEs are alienated from grass root idealism• MEs are more interested in compromise

h i hthan in change

Alaska

• Environment• TechnologyTechnology• Native people

ANCSA 1971- ANCSA 1971• Wilderness

Rampart Dam -1959

• Corp of Engineers – Yukon River• 1 billion $1 billion $• World largest human created lake

W ld ff NP• Would not affect a NP• Alaska env. View vs U.S. env. View• Dam project stopped in 1967

ANILCA 1980

• 99% of AK public (federal) land• ANCSA deadline 12/18 1978ANCSA deadline 12/18 1978• Carter 12/1/78 – Antiquities Act – 110 mil.

AcresAcres• Carter/Reagan debate• Congress/Carter pass/sign act 12/80• Reagon takes office 1/81 g

ANILCA 1980 cont.

• Results- Revoked 1978 executive orderRevoked 1978 executive order- 105 mil. Acres to state of AK

44 il A i l- 44 mil. Acres to native people- 104 mil. Acres federal land (28% of AK = CA)

ANILCA 1980 cont.

• Federal allocation- 56.7 mil. Acres – NWPS- 26 additions to the NWSRS- Doubled the size of NPS landsDoubled the size of NPS lands- Doubled the size of USFWS wildlife refuges landsrefuges lands

• Most expansive action on behalf of wild by any presidentby any president

Alaska in Perspective

• 1/3 AK “Big W”• Less restrictive view of wildLess restrictive view of wild• A permanent frontier: Nash, Leopold,

Marshall TurnerMarshall, Turner• A legacy of wild for future generations:

Th M i Ol dThoreau, Muir, Olmstead

Alaska in Perspective cont.

• Protect wild and native culture: Catlin• Protect entire ecosystems: Marsh LeopoldProtect entire ecosystems: Marsh, Leopold• AK represents a change in American

perspective towards wildernessperspective towards wilderness

Environmental Movement sinceEnvironmental Movement since 1980

• > Concern for global env.• > Growth in deep ecology> Growth in deep ecology• >Growth in conservative backlash

Reagan/Bush sr. 1980-92

• Reaganomics- LWCFLWCF

• James WattS b h b lli 1980• Sagebrush rebellion 1980s

• Wise Use movement 1990s

Sagebrush/Wise Use Movements

• < env. rules and regs.• < fed land holding< fed. land holding • < env. quality in business and private

property decisionsproperty decisions• > personal rights over env. Rights

Sagebrush/Wise Use Movements

• Supported by timber, mining, energy, chemical and rec. industries

• Misinformation, lobbying, intimidation• Tie to Pinchot conservation• Tie to Pinchot conservation

Result of Conservative Backlash

• Congress• PublicPublic• G. Bush sr.

George Bush Sr.1988-1992

• Earth Summit (Rio Conference) 1992• Biodiversity treatyBiodiversity treaty

Sustainability

• Basic idea• ExamplesExamples• Bioregionalism

P bli i i• Public perception vs action

The Clinton Years 1993-2001

• Campaign promise• Al Gore – Earth in Balance 1992Al Gore Earth in Balance 1992• Rio conference

E i h i i• Economic growth top priority

Clinton Years cont.

• NW old growth forest• Grazing feesGrazing fees• Kyoto treaty 1997

C i d R i A• Conservation and Reinvestment Act

Clinton Years cont.

• National Monuments• Forest Service roadless areasForest Service roadless areas• Clinton’s environmental legacy

Clinton Legacy of ProtectedClinton Legacy of Protected Lands

• Carter = 56 million acres• Clinton = 6 million acresClinton 6 million acres• FDR = 2.6 million acres

H 2 1 illi• Hoover = 2.1 million acres• T. Roosevelt = 1.5 million acres• Reagan & G.W. Bush = 0 acres

2001 Public Perception

• Growing Public Apathy• Cost of federal pollution regulationsCost of federal pollution regulations• Loss of public support

P bli i l i• Public environmental perception

George Bush 2000-2004

• 1997 Kyoto Treaty• Roadless areas NFSRoadless areas NFS• Clinton National Monuments

ATV i NPS• ATVs in NPS• Artic National Wildlife refuge

George Bush 2000 - 2004 cont.

• Healthy Forest Restoration Act 2003• Clear SkiesClear Skies

- Change Clean Air regulations Set cap let industry decide how to meet it- Set cap let industry decide how to meet it

George Bush 2000-2004 cont.

• New Source Review- New regulations to clean up old pollutingNew regulations to clean up old polluting

power plants

2002 Public Perception

• National Env. Trust – worst env. President since the first earth dayy

• League of conservation voters = D-• EPA ombudsman (watchdog) & chief of• EPA ombudsman (watchdog) & chief of

civil enforcement resign

2002 Public Perception cont.

• 36% trust Bush to protect the env.• 43% env laws should go farther than they43% env. laws should go farther than they

do• 62% favor protect of wild areas even if it• 62% favor protect of wild areas – even if it

means higher gas prices

George Bush 2004-Present

* Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument 2006

* National Parks Centennial Initiative 2007

George Bush 2004-Present

• Sell U.S. Forest Service land

• < Intra-coastal waterway, inlets, and beach re nurishment fundingre-nurishment funding

• Pocosin NWR/ U.S. Navy landing strip

2006 Public Perception

• 67% of Americans rate Bush’s handling of environmental issues as “Fair” or “Poor”

Future

> Lack of public commitment 2005 - 8 out of 10 support stronger env Protection8 out of 10 support stronger env. Protection- Last out of 9 issues affecting how people

votevote> 2008 elections ?