In 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt embarked on a memorable three-day camping adventure in California’s Yosemite Valley. Accompanied by conservationist John Muir, Roosevelt camped under the majestic Sequoia trees and braved a snowstorm. While Roosevelt was known for his love of the outdoors, Muir had a bigger agenda: to save Yosemite from the threat of overdevelopment.
Yosemite had been designated as protected land since 1864, but by 1903, it was still vulnerable to development. This was part of a larger, ongoing debate about how to preserve land while allowing public access. The conflict began during the 1849 gold rush when miners flocked to the Sierra Nevada foothills. In 1851, the Ahwahneechee tribe was forcibly removed from Yosemite Valley, and returning members saw settlers cutting down trees and building infrastructure.
A group of Californians, concerned about the future of Yosemite, persuaded Senator John Conness to take action. In 1864, Congress passed a bill granting Yosemite Valley to California, marking the first instance of U.S. land being protected for public use. However, managing this land proved challenging, especially as more areas received similar protection.
In 1871, geologist Ferdinand Hayden led an expedition to the Yellowstone Plateau, a region used by Native American tribes for various purposes. The expedition’s findings of stunning geysers and hot springs led to public support for protecting Yellowstone. Unlike Yosemite, Yellowstone was not part of any state, so Congress placed it under federal control in 1872, creating the world’s first national park.
During his presidency, Roosevelt played a key role in expanding public lands. By 1916, the U.S. boasted fifteen national parks. However, managing these parks was chaotic, with responsibilities scattered across multiple government departments. This lack of coordination led to issues like wildlife harm and vandalism.
Inspired by Canada’s centralized park service, the U.S. established the National Park Service in 1916. The service aims to both conserve parks for the future and make them accessible to the public. This balance is tricky, as infrastructure can alter landscapes and visitors can cause environmental damage.
The history of national parks is complex. Many parks were once inhabited by Native Americans, who lost access to their lands. Recently, the National Park Service has begun involving Native communities in park management, acknowledging this legacy.
Worldwide, indigenous communities are vital to land management and preservation. With thousands of national parks globally, each faces the challenge of balancing public use with ecological and historical preservation. Some parks, like Mu Ko Similan in Thailand, have restricted tourist access to allow ecosystems to recover.
National parks have safeguarded invaluable landscapes for future generations. They also prompt us to consider our responsibilities to the planet and each other. As we enjoy these natural wonders, we must also protect them for those who come after us.
Imagine you are part of a town hall meeting in 1903 discussing the future of Yosemite. Divide into two groups: one advocating for conservation and the other for development. Research your position and present arguments to the class. Consider the historical context and the perspectives of different stakeholders, including indigenous communities.
Choose a national park and create a timeline of its history, highlighting key events and changes in management. Include the role of indigenous communities and any recent conservation efforts. Present your findings in a creative format, such as a digital presentation or a poster.
Write a short story from the perspective of a park ranger working in the early 20th century. Describe their daily challenges, interactions with visitors, and efforts to protect the park. Reflect on how their role might differ from that of a modern park ranger.
Visit a local park or nature reserve and observe how it is managed. Take notes on the infrastructure, visitor facilities, and conservation efforts. Discuss with your classmates how these elements balance public access with environmental protection. Consider how this park compares to the national parks discussed in the article.
Create an interactive map that shows the overlap between indigenous lands and current national parks in the U.S. Research the history of these lands and how indigenous communities are involved in their management today. Share your map with the class and discuss the importance of acknowledging this history.
In 1903, the President of the United States took a three-day camping trip in California’s Yosemite Valley. President Theodore Roosevelt slept among towering Sequoia trees, camped in a snowstorm, and spent hours talking around the campfire with his host and guide, conservationist John Muir. Roosevelt famously loved the outdoors, but Muir had invited him there for more than just camping: Yosemite was in danger.
Although Yosemite became protected land in 1864, the valley was still at risk for overdevelopment in 1903. It was at the heart of a decades-old struggle to set aside land for both preservation and public use—two goals that were much easier said than done. The battle over Yosemite began with the 1849 gold rush when miners surged west, seeking gold in the Sierra Nevada foothills. In 1851, a state-sanctioned militia drove the Ahwahneechee tribe from Yosemite Valley. Those who managed to return witnessed white settlers claiming the land, felling giant sequoias, and building hotels and saloons.
In response, a small group of concerned Californians lobbied Senator John Conness to protect the valley from private interests. In 1864, Congress passed Conness’ bill, granting the Yosemite Valley to the State of California, marking the first time the U.S. government brought land under public protection. However, the management of that land remained an open question, one that would only become more complicated as more lands came under similar protection.
Seven years later, geologist Ferdinand Hayden led an expedition to the Yellowstone Plateau, which many Native American tribes used for ceremonies, hunting, and trade. The expedition’s scientists and artists brought back news of spectacular geysers and hot springs, inspiring widespread support to bring Yellowstone under government protection—and restrict native people’s access to the land. Unlike Yosemite, Yellowstone couldn’t be granted to a state—it was part of three U.S. territories that hadn’t become states yet. Instead, Congress brought Yellowstone under federal stewardship in 1872, creating the world’s first true National Park.
During his presidency, Teddy Roosevelt was instrumental in expanding the lands under public protection. By 1916, there were fifteen national parks. However, the problem of management remained unsolved, and maintenance of the park was handled haphazardly over multiple government departments. Straightforward tasks like building roads and hiring personnel required inefficient bureaucratic maneuvering. None of the departments had set rules for conduct in the park, leading to issues like wildlife being harmed, overgrazing, and vandalism.
The solution came from Canada, which had a highly effective centralized park service. In 1916, the United States established the National Park Service based on this model. To this day, the mission of the park service is comprised of two goals that sometimes conflict: to conserve the parks for the future and to allow the public to enjoy them. That’s a delicate balancing act: roads, trails, and other infrastructure make the parks accessible to visitors but also alter the landscape, while visitors themselves can contribute to pollution, erosion, and damage to delicate ecosystems.
The very history of preservation can also be at odds with this mission. Many parks were not, at the time of their founding, the uninhabited wilderness that’s become the standard for their preservation. Instead, many were homes or places of worship for native peoples, who lost access to these lands in the name of public use. Only recently has the National Park Service begun to reckon with this legacy and engage Native Americans in park management.
Around the world, indigenous communities play crucial roles in land management and preservation. Today, there are thousands of national parks worldwide, and each must balance public use with historical and ecological preservation. Parks in various countries have experienced severe erosion as visitor numbers have skyrocketed. Some, like Mu Ko Similan National Park in Thailand, have closed sections to tourists entirely to allow the ecosystem to recover.
National Parks have preserved irreplaceable landscapes for future generations. They also force us to reckon with hard questions: what are our responsibilities to this planet, and to each other?
Wilderness – A natural area that has not been significantly modified by human activity. – The vast wilderness of the American West was a major focus of exploration and settlement in the 19th century.
Conservation – The protection and preservation of natural resources and the environment. – Conservation efforts in the early 20th century led to the establishment of many national parks to protect wildlife and natural landscapes.
Yosemite – A national park in California known for its stunning granite cliffs, waterfalls, and biodiversity. – Yosemite became a symbol of the American conservation movement when it was designated as a national park in 1890.
National – Relating to a nation as a whole, often used in the context of government-established areas for public use and preservation. – The national government played a crucial role in the establishment of protected areas to preserve the country’s natural heritage.
Parks – Areas of natural or semi-natural land set aside for human recreation and enjoyment, as well as for the protection of wildlife and natural habitats. – National parks serve as important refuges for biodiversity and offer educational opportunities about the natural world.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs. – The history of environmental policy shows a growing awareness of the need to balance human activity with ecological preservation.
Indigenous – Originating or occurring naturally in a particular place; native, often referring to the original inhabitants of a region. – Indigenous communities have historically played a vital role in the stewardship of the environment through sustainable practices.
Management – The process of dealing with or controlling things or people, often used in the context of resource and environmental management. – Effective management of natural resources is essential to ensure their availability for future generations.
Environment – The natural world, as a whole or in a particular geographical area, especially as affected by human activity. – The industrial revolution had a profound impact on the environment, leading to increased pollution and habitat destruction.
Protection – The action of safeguarding something from harm or destruction, often used in the context of environmental conservation. – Legal protection of endangered species is crucial to prevent their extinction and maintain ecological balance.
