Page 72 - 2004 DT 9 Issues

­ What’s ­­Ins i d e!­

Featured Article
Teddy Roosevelt..............................1
Special
Muddy Mountains Trip...................6

Departments
November 2004 News & Notes.................................2
Programs & Hikes..........................4
Desk Schedule................................6
Bulletin Board................................8

TEDDY after you, as one of the great sights United States at the age of 43.

If the vested interests of big
which every American . . . must see.”
Fortunately, Teddy Roosevelt’s business who, with their wanton ex-
ROOSEVELT . . . entry into politics provided the path- ploitation of the environment, thought
environmental pioneer. way to power that would enable him they had a man they could control,

to act decisively as a conservationist. their mistake could not have been
by­Chuck­Kleber Following graduation from Harvard, greater. He became known as the
he was elected to the New York State “Trust Buster,” breaking up enormous
e n t i o n t h e n a m e o f Assembly, the first step in a series railroad and steel monopolies. But TR

Theodore Roosevelt, and that led to appointment as Assistant (as he was often called) achieved far
Mmost people think of his more as the true father of conserva-
famous charge up San Juan Hill at the tion. He once remarked: “I would
head of the “Rough Riders” during the never have become President if it
Spanish-American War. But that is a had not been for my experiences in
mere footnote compared to his enor- North Dakota.” Although a hunter,
mous contribution to protecting our he saw how unrestricted shooting had
nation’s natural beauty and resources decimated much wildlife and became
as the 26 President. concerned with destruction of the
th
It could have been quite different natural environment. Friendships with
except for his early years. Roosevelt notable conservationists, like John
was born in 1858 into a wealthy New Muir, strengthened his resolve. Now
York family but suffered from poor he was President and could act . . . and
eyesight and asthma as a young boy. act he did.
He was determined to strengthen his Acting under the Forest Reserves
body by rigorous living, and to that Act of 1891, TR withdrew 235 million
end, he spent long periods in the West acres of public timberland from sale.
while still in his 20’s, took to life on In 1903, he established the Bureau
a ranch in North Dakota, and visited of Forestry under his conservationist
Yosemite and the Grand Canyon. He friend, Gifford Pinchot. They accepted
soon developed a deep appreciation Secretary of the Navy, popularity as the fact that timber was needed for
for the awesome grandeur of nature leader of the “Rough Riders,” and construction, but it had to be done
that surrounded him. It would grow election as Governor of New York. He scientifically with trees left to grow and
and be with him throughout his life. was an ideal choice as the Republican new ones planted. The discomfort of big
And, he felt that this legacy belonged Party’s vice-presidential running mate timber interests was compounded when
to the American people. Years later, he to William McKinley in 1900. With the he added another 16 million acres to
spoke of the Grand Canyon: “Keep it assassination of McKinley, just months
for your children and your children’s after taking office, Theodore Roosevelt
children, and for all those who come became the youngest President of the Teddy,­continued on page 6