John Muir: From Wisconsin to Wilderness Icon

John Muir: From Wisconsin to Wilderness Icon

By Jim Steffens, Executive Committee member

Sierra Club – John Muir Chapter (WI)

By Jim Steffens, Executive Committee member

Sierra Club – John Muir Chapter (WI)

The Early YearsThe Early Years

• April 21, 1838: Birth of John Muir to Daniel and Ann Gilrye Muir

• third child of eight• Margaret (1834)• Sarah (1836)• David (1840)• Daniel (1843)• Mary (1846)• Annie (1846)• Joanna (1850)

• April 21, 1838: Birth of John Muir to Daniel and Ann Gilrye Muir

• third child of eight• Margaret (1834)• Sarah (1836)• David (1840)• Daniel (1843)• Mary (1846)• Annie (1846)• Joanna (1850)

Primary SchoolPrimary School

• 1841: John Muir turns 3, attends primary school

• Muir falls in love with nature at this young age

• 1841: John Muir turns 3, attends primary school

• Muir falls in love with nature at this young age

Grammar SchoolGrammar School

• 1845: Muir enters Dunbar Grammar School

• Learned numerous subjects:

Latin, French, English, Mathematics, Geography

• 1845: Muir enters Dunbar Grammar School

• Learned numerous subjects:

Latin, French, English, Mathematics, Geography

Courtesy of Dunbar & District Historic Society

America!America!

• 1849: At the age of 11, Muir’s family leaves Scotland for America

• Arrive in New York six weeks later

• Continue journey to Wisconsin

• 1849: At the age of 11, Muir’s family leaves Scotland for America

• Arrive in New York six weeks later

• Continue journey to Wisconsin

Photo of Fountain Lake, Courtesy of WI State Historical Society

Fountain LakeFountain Lake

• After lengthy trip, Muir Family arrived in Buffalo Township

• Settled at Fountain Lake

• Muir developed love and respect for nature, wilderness

• According to Erik Brynildson, ecologist and landscape architect, “This is the first place that any American conceived the notion of preserving nature for its own sake”

• After lengthy trip, Muir Family arrived in Buffalo Township

• Settled at Fountain Lake

• Muir developed love and respect for nature, wilderness

• According to Erik Brynildson, ecologist and landscape architect, “This is the first place that any American conceived the notion of preserving nature for its own sake”

Fountain Lake Photo: Courtesy of J M Manson

InventorInventor• Muir’s father was strict; he

was unable to attend formal schooling because he had to work on the family farm

• In his spare time he created clocks, barometers, hydrometers and various other inventions

• Muir’s father was strict; he was unable to attend formal schooling because he had to work on the family farm

• In his spare time he created clocks, barometers, hydrometers and various other inventions

Photo of Model clock, ELMS, Glyn Satterley

Hickory Hill FarmHickory Hill Farm

• 1856: Muir family moves to nearby Hickory Hill Farm • Muir continues to work on farm until he leaves home at 22 • 1856: Muir family moves to nearby Hickory Hill Farm • Muir continues to work on farm until he leaves home at 22

Sketch by Muir: Courtesy of Sierra Club

Leaving HomeLeaving Home

“When I told father that I was about to leave home, and inquired whether, if I should happen to be in need of money, he would send me a little, he said, ‘No; depend entirely on yourself.’”

“When I told father that I was about to leave home, and inquired whether, if I should happen to be in need of money, he would send me a little, he said, ‘No; depend entirely on yourself.’”

State FairState Fair

• Muir travels to Madison, WI to exhibit clocks and various inventions

• Named “An ingenious whittler”

• Illustration of Muir invention (right): a combined thermometer, hygometer, barometer, and pyrometer.

• Muir travels to Madison, WI to exhibit clocks and various inventions

• Named “An ingenious whittler”

• Illustration of Muir invention (right): a combined thermometer, hygometer, barometer, and pyrometer.

University of Wisconsin MadisonUniversity of Wisconsin Madison

• Muir pursues a formal education after meeting Jeanne Carr at State Fair• Carr’s husband

was a professor at UW

• Muir pursues a formal education after meeting Jeanne Carr at State Fair• Carr’s husband

was a professor at UW

University of Wisconsin Madison

University of Wisconsin Madison

• Muir attends UW from 1860-1863

• Becomes interested in botany and geology

• Also continues work as an inventor• Creates desk that

retrieves books, an alarm clock to throw you out of bed, etc.

• Muir attends UW from 1860-1863

• Becomes interested in botany and geology

• Also continues work as an inventor• Creates desk that

retrieves books, an alarm clock to throw you out of bed, etc.

Photo of UW Madison Courtesy of J M Manson

Leaving UW MadisonLeaving UW Madison

• Muir leaves the University without a degree

• Interest in botany inspires him to seek an education in the natural world

• Photo (right) depicts a Muir plate of a Pickeral weed from Wisconsin

• Muir leaves the University without a degree

• Interest in botany inspires him to seek an education in the natural world

• Photo (right) depicts a Muir plate of a Pickeral weed from Wisconsin

Saying GoodbyeSaying Goodbye “From the top of a hill on the North side of

Lake Mendota I gained a last wistful, lingering view of the beautiful university grounds and buildings where I had spent so many hungry and happy and hopeful days. There with streaming eyes I bade my blessed Alma Mater farewell. But I was only leaving one university for another, the Wisconsin University for the University of Wilderness”

“From the top of a hill on the North side of Lake Mendota I gained a last wistful, lingering view of the beautiful university grounds and buildings where I had spent so many hungry and happy and hopeful days. There with streaming eyes I bade my blessed Alma Mater farewell. But I was only leaving one university for another, the Wisconsin University for the University of Wilderness”

A Glimpse of ConservationA Glimpse of Conservation

• After leaving UW, Muir returns to Fountain Lake

• Attempts to save portion of Fountain Lake farm for it’s beauty alone

• After leaving UW, Muir returns to Fountain Lake

• Attempts to save portion of Fountain Lake farm for it’s beauty alone

Photo of Fountain Lake, 1923; Courtesy of WI State Historical Society

CanadaCanada• At the age of 26, Muir ventures off to

Canada

• Works at Trout’s sawmill and attempts to improve efficiency

• Obtains another job in industry, but the location burns down• Shortly after Muir returns to the United States• Obtains work in a carriage factory in

Indianapolis, Indiana

• At the age of 26, Muir ventures off to Canada

• Works at Trout’s sawmill and attempts to improve efficiency

• Obtains another job in industry, but the location burns down• Shortly after Muir returns to the United States• Obtains work in a carriage factory in

Indianapolis, Indiana

Life Changing AccidentLife Changing Accident

• 1867 Muir is temporarily blinded in a factory accident

• Decides that he should not be spending his time doing factory work but rather studying nature

• 1867 Muir is temporarily blinded in a factory accident

• Decides that he should not be spending his time doing factory work but rather studying nature

1,000 Mile Walk1,000 Mile Walk

• September 1, 1867: Muir sets out on 1,000 mile walk from Indianapolis to Gulf of Mexico and Cuba• Observes plants, animals

and physical features of the country

• Kept extensive journals• Published after his death “A

Thousand Mile Walk to the Gulf”

• September 1, 1867: Muir sets out on 1,000 mile walk from Indianapolis to Gulf of Mexico and Cuba• Observes plants, animals

and physical features of the country

• Kept extensive journals• Published after his death “A

Thousand Mile Walk to the Gulf”

After 1000 mile walk Muir sails to California

Has first visit to Yosemite

YosemiteYosemite

• 1869 Muir spends first summer in High Sierra Nevada Mountains

• Hikes, climbs, and studies ranges and glaciers• Develops controversial theory of glaciation of

Yosemite

• 1870 Muir guides tours of Yosemite

• 1869 Muir spends first summer in High Sierra Nevada Mountains

• Hikes, climbs, and studies ranges and glaciers• Develops controversial theory of glaciation of

Yosemite

• 1870 Muir guides tours of Yosemite

John LeConteJohn LeConte

• 1870 Muir meets LeConte in Yosemite

• Explored, climbed, and mapped much of Yosemite

• Beginning of a life long friendship

• 1870 Muir meets LeConte in Yosemite

• Explored, climbed, and mapped much of Yosemite

• Beginning of a life long friendship

Ralph Waldo EmersonRalph Waldo Emerson• Emerson visits Muir in

Yosemite

• Muir greatly influenced by Emerson’s writings• Transcendentalism

• “He is more wonderful than Thoreau” - Emerson’s view of Muir

• Wanted to camp but Emerson not allowed because of age

• Emerson visits Muir in Yosemite

• Muir greatly influenced by Emerson’s writings• Transcendentalism

• “He is more wonderful than Thoreau” - Emerson’s view of Muir

• Wanted to camp but Emerson not allowed because of age

Hetch-HetchyHetch-Hetchy

• Muir makes first visit in 1871

• Beauty of Hetch-Hetchy influences Muir to fight for it’s conservation until his death

• Muir makes first visit in 1871

• Beauty of Hetch-Hetchy influences Muir to fight for it’s conservation until his death

LobbyingLobbying• 1876 Muir lobbies for

forest protection and conservation

• 1877 continues to guide tours of scenic areas • Of importance: Asa

Gray of Harvard and Sir Joseph Hooker of England in Shasta Region

• 1876 Muir lobbies for forest protection and conservation

• 1877 continues to guide tours of scenic areas • Of importance: Asa

Gray of Harvard and Sir Joseph Hooker of England in Shasta Region

Muir and FamilyMuir and Family• 1874 at 36 years Muir meets Louie

Wanda Stretzel• Daughter of a

horticulturist

• 1880 Muir and

Stretzel marry

• Have two daughters

Helen (1886) and

Wanda (1881)

• 1874 at 36 years Muir meets Louie Wanda Stretzel• Daughter of a

horticulturist

• 1880 Muir and

Stretzel marry

• Have two daughters

Helen (1886) and

Wanda (1881)

Creation of Sierra ClubCreation of Sierra Club

• Throughout marriage Muir continues to travel the country • Exploring nature and

developing thoughts on conservation

• 1892 Muir co-founded Sierra Club to “make the mountains glad”

• Throughout marriage Muir continues to travel the country • Exploring nature and

developing thoughts on conservation

• 1892 Muir co-founded Sierra Club to “make the mountains glad”Photo taken from

John Muir Woods

Mount RainierMount Rainier• 1893 Muir

campaigns for creation Mount Rainier National Park

• 1895 at Sierra Club meeting discusses preserving national parks and forests

• 1899 Mount Rainier National Park est.

• 1893 Muir campaigns for creation Mount Rainier National Park

• 1895 at Sierra Club meeting discusses preserving national parks and forests

• 1899 Mount Rainier National Park est.

First Annual Sierra Club OutingFirst Annual Sierra Club Outing

• 1901 Muir leads first annual trip to mountains• Nearly 100 Sierra Club members

travel Yosemite for a month• LeConte dies on Yosemite outing

• 1901 Muir leads first annual trip to mountains• Nearly 100 Sierra Club members

travel Yosemite for a month• LeConte dies on Yosemite outing

Photo from 1902 Outing Courtesy of University of California

Teddy RooseveltTeddy Roosevelt• 1903 Muir took Teddy on

guided tour of Yosemite

• Muir great influence on Roosevelt

• During his presidency• 5 National Parks• 18 National Monuments• 55 National Bird

Sanctuaries• 150 National Forests

• 1903 Muir took Teddy on guided tour of Yosemite

• Muir great influence on Roosevelt

• During his presidency• 5 National Parks• 18 National Monuments• 55 National Bird

Sanctuaries• 150 National Forests

Photo from Sierra Club Colby Library

An End to A ChapterAn End to A Chapter

• December 24, 1914 Muir dies in California Hospital from pneumonia

• Buried in Strentzel family cemetery in Martinez, CA

• His presence continues to live on through the organization he founded and the nature he preserved

• December 24, 1914 Muir dies in California Hospital from pneumonia

• Buried in Strentzel family cemetery in Martinez, CA

• His presence continues to live on through the organization he founded and the nature he preserved

Today’s Sierra ClubToday’s Sierra Club• Sierra Club is the oldest, largest,

and most influential grassroots environmental organization in the United States.

• 1.3 million members in North America

• We use grassroots activism, public education, lobbying and litigation to protect natural resources.

• Sierra Club is the oldest, largest, and most influential grassroots environmental organization in the United States.

• 1.3 million members in North America

• We use grassroots activism, public education, lobbying and litigation to protect natural resources.

Sierra Club MissionSierra Club Mission• To explore, enjoy, and protect the wild

places of the earth; • To practice and promote the responsible

use of the• earth's ecosystems and resources;• To educate and enlist humanity to protect

and restore the quality of the natural and human environment; and• To use all lawful means to carry out these

objectives.

• To explore, enjoy, and protect the wild places of the earth; • To practice and promote the responsible

use of the• earth's ecosystems and resources;• To educate and enlist humanity to protect

and restore the quality of the natural and human environment; and• To use all lawful means to carry out these

objectives.

National Sierra Club OutingsNational Sierra Club Outings

National Outings ProgramOffers more than 330 exciting outings each year for Sierra Club members.

From backpacking in the Sierra Nevada to whale watching in Hawaii; from trekking in Nepal to bird watching in Brazil………

www.sierraclub.org/outings

Sierra Club AccomplishmentsSierra Club Accomplishments• Establishment, expansion, and protection of many

national parks, including significant parts of Yosemite and Yellowstone

• Enactment of the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act

• National monument status for Utah’s Grand Staircase-Escalante

• Enactment of Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act designating more than 100 million acres of parks, wildlife refuges, and wilderness areas.

• Establishment, expansion, and protection of many national parks, including significant parts of Yosemite and Yellowstone

• Enactment of the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act

• National monument status for Utah’s Grand Staircase-Escalante

• Enactment of Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act designating more than 100 million acres of parks, wildlife refuges, and wilderness areas.

Sierra Club RegionsSierra Club RegionsWI Regional Office122 West Washington Ave, #830, Madison,(608) 257-4994

• Emily Green, Great Lakes Program Director• Jennifer Feyerherm, WI Clean Energy Campaign Director• Emily Miota, Beyond Coal • Judy Hofrichter, Coal Campaign Supervisor

Sierra Club Regions:• Central: ND, SD, NE, KS, OK, LA, AR, MO, IA, MN, WI, IL, MI, IN, OH,

MS, AL, TX

• Western: WA, OR, CA, HI, MT, NV, ID, WY, UT, CO, AZ, NM, El Paso (TX)

• Eastern: GA, FL, PR, NC, SC, VA, WV, DC, MD, DE, PA, NJ, CT, RI, NY, MA, NH, VT, ME, KY, TN (plus DC, PR)

WI Regional Office122 West Washington Ave, #830, Madison,(608) 257-4994

• Emily Green, Great Lakes Program Director• Jennifer Feyerherm, WI Clean Energy Campaign Director• Emily Miota, Beyond Coal • Judy Hofrichter, Coal Campaign Supervisor

Sierra Club Regions:• Central: ND, SD, NE, KS, OK, LA, AR, MO, IA, MN, WI, IL, MI, IN, OH,

MS, AL, TX

• Western: WA, OR, CA, HI, MT, NV, ID, WY, UT, CO, AZ, NM, El Paso (TX)

• Eastern: GA, FL, PR, NC, SC, VA, WV, DC, MD, DE, PA, NJ, CT, RI, NY, MA, NH, VT, ME, KY, TN (plus DC, PR)

Sierra Club Chapters: 67 Chapters in US and Canada

Sierra Club Chapters: 67 Chapters in US and Canada

Sierra Club – John Muir ChapterSierra Club – John Muir Chapter• Formed in 1963, we are the statewide branch of the

Sierra Club in Wisconsin

• We follow the footsteps of legendary Wisconsin conservationists: John Muir, Aldo Leopold, Sigurd Olson and Gaylord Nelson 

• Executive Committee of Volunteer Leaders

• Three Paid Staff: Chapter Director, Coordinator, Programs Apprentice

• 15,000 members and seven local groups in Wisconsin

• Formed in 1963, we are the statewide branch of the Sierra Club in Wisconsin

• We follow the footsteps of legendary Wisconsin conservationists: John Muir, Aldo Leopold, Sigurd Olson and Gaylord Nelson 

• Executive Committee of Volunteer Leaders

• Three Paid Staff: Chapter Director, Coordinator, Programs Apprentice

• 15,000 members and seven local groups in Wisconsin

Sierra Club John Muir Chapter: Reducing Global Warming

Sierra Club John Muir Chapter: Reducing Global Warming

• Stopping Alliant Energy from building a dirty, 300 MW coal plant in Cassville or Portage

• Winning a precedent-setting lawsuit against the Charter Street coal plant that requires all state-owned coal plants to comply with the Clean Air Act

• Creating a clean energy future for Madison by spurring on Governor Doyle to announce that all three coal plants would be replaced with cleaner, more efficient energy sources.

• Promoting energy efficiency and renewables by getting 19 Cities and one County to sign on to Wisconsin’s Cool Cities program

• Helping to pass a 15% improvement in energy efficiency for building codes for new homes by encouraging code officials to vote for this update.

• Stopping Alliant Energy from building a dirty, 300 MW coal plant in Cassville or Portage

• Winning a precedent-setting lawsuit against the Charter Street coal plant that requires all state-owned coal plants to comply with the Clean Air Act

• Creating a clean energy future for Madison by spurring on Governor Doyle to announce that all three coal plants would be replaced with cleaner, more efficient energy sources.

• Promoting energy efficiency and renewables by getting 19 Cities and one County to sign on to Wisconsin’s Cool Cities program

• Helping to pass a 15% improvement in energy efficiency for building codes for new homes by encouraging code officials to vote for this update.

Sierra Club- John Muir Chapter: Protecting Wisconsin’s Water

Sierra Club- John Muir Chapter: Protecting Wisconsin’s Water • We thwarted Perrier’s plans to build a water-bottling

plant in Adams County.

• We stopped Exxon’s plans to build a toxic mine at the headwaters of the Wolf River.

• We pushed for the continuing clean-up dangerous polychlorinated biphenals (PCBs) from the Fox River.

• We helped protect the St. Croix River, by advocating for its designation as a Wild and Scenic River.

• We passed the historic Great Lakes Compact!

• We thwarted Perrier’s plans to build a water-bottling plant in Adams County.

• We stopped Exxon’s plans to build a toxic mine at the headwaters of the Wolf River.

• We pushed for the continuing clean-up dangerous polychlorinated biphenals (PCBs) from the Fox River.

• We helped protect the St. Croix River, by advocating for its designation as a Wild and Scenic River.

• We passed the historic Great Lakes Compact!

Sierra Club- John Muir ChapterSierra Club- John Muir Chapter

• Muir View newsletter and eNews!http://wisconsin.sierraclub.org/Involve/newsletter.htm

• Take Action! Statewide Action Alerts, link to national alerts: http://wisconsin.sierraclub.org/Involve/action.htm

• Press Releases and News Coverage: http://wisconsin.sierraclub.org/About/news.htm

• Upcoming Events: http://wisconsin.sierraclub.org/Events/other.htm

• 2010-11 Legislative Trackerhttp://wisconsin.sierraclub.org/tracker/

• Outings: http://wisconsin.sierraclub.org/events/outings.htm

• Muir View newsletter and eNews!http://wisconsin.sierraclub.org/Involve/newsletter.htm

• Take Action! Statewide Action Alerts, link to national alerts: http://wisconsin.sierraclub.org/Involve/action.htm

• Press Releases and News Coverage: http://wisconsin.sierraclub.org/About/news.htm

• Upcoming Events: http://wisconsin.sierraclub.org/Events/other.htm

• 2010-11 Legislative Trackerhttp://wisconsin.sierraclub.org/tracker/

• Outings: http://wisconsin.sierraclub.org/events/outings.htm

John Muir Chapter LeadersJohn Muir Chapter Leaders

2011 Officers • Chair Liz Wessel• Vice Chair Marilyn Pedretti• Treasurer Harriet Iwamoto• Secretary Jim Kerler

Committee Chairs• Conservation Will Stahl• Political Dave Blouin• Legislative Caryl Terrell• Fundraising Sarah Streed

2011 Officers • Chair Liz Wessel• Vice Chair Marilyn Pedretti• Treasurer Harriet Iwamoto• Secretary Jim Kerler

Committee Chairs• Conservation Will Stahl• Political Dave Blouin• Legislative Caryl Terrell• Fundraising Sarah Streed

Local Sierra Club Groups in Wisconsin

Groups: The finger on the pulse of local issues and a local outlet for environmental education, outings and outreach;

Ideal for direct community action (like local roadside clean-ups, invasives removal or recycling programs)

John Muir ChapterRiver Touring Section

John Muir ChapterRiver Touring Section

• Meg Nelson, Chair

• http://wisconsin.sierraclub.org/rts/

• Purpose: To coordinate paddling trips, to promote on-the-water safety and improve paddling skills, to support river conservation organizations

• Meg Nelson, Chair

• http://wisconsin.sierraclub.org/rts/

• Purpose: To coordinate paddling trips, to promote on-the-water safety and improve paddling skills, to support river conservation organizations

Sierra Student CoalitionSierra Student Coalition

• http://www.ssc.org/

• Purpose: The student arm of Sierra Club, Sierra Student Coalition is a broad network of high school and college youth (ages 17-30) from around the country working to protect the environment.

• http://www.ssc.org/

• Purpose: The student arm of Sierra Club, Sierra Student Coalition is a broad network of high school and college youth (ages 17-30) from around the country working to protect the environment.

John Muir Chapter: Inner City Outings (Madison)John Muir Chapter: Inner City Outings (Madison)

• Ann Catlett, (608) 233-5840 http://www.madisonico.org/• Purpose: ICO offers hiking and camping trips, boating and skiing outings,

and other outdoor adventures to underprivileged youth in the Madison area.

• Ann Catlett, (608) 233-5840 http://www.madisonico.org/• Purpose: ICO offers hiking and camping trips, boating and skiing outings,

and other outdoor adventures to underprivileged youth in the Madison area.

Questions?Questions?

Sierra Club – John Muir Chapter222 South Hamilton St, #1, Madison, WI 53703

(608) 256-0565http://wisconsin.sierraclub.orgshahla.werner@sierraclub.org

Sierra Club – John Muir Chapter222 South Hamilton St, #1, Madison, WI 53703

(608) 256-0565http://wisconsin.sierraclub.orgshahla.werner@sierraclub.org