“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” – Theodore Roosevelt
If we consider John Muir the moral conscience of the modern environmental movement, Theodore Roosevelt might be seen as its political ally. More than any other American president, Roosevelt transformed conservation from a philosophical ideal into a national responsibility. During his time in office, Roosevelt permanently altered the American landscape. He protected over 230 million acres, more than any president before or since, through executive action, including national forests, wildlife refuges, and national monuments.
Here are a few of his accomplishments.
• Established the U.S. Forest Service in 1905, placing millions of acres of forest under management guided by science.
• Created 5 national parks, including Crater Lake and Wind Cave, helping preserve iconic American landscapes.
• Designated 18 national monuments under the new Antiquities Act of 1906, including the Grand Canyon (before it became a national park).
• Established 51 federal bird reserves, laying the groundwork for today’s National Wildlife Refuge System.
• Protected 150 national forests, preventing widespread commercial exploitation of public lands.
• Championed conservation as a national responsibility, framing environmental protection as essential to the country’s long-term health and prosperity.
• Supported wildlife protection laws, including early regulations to curb market hunting and species loss.
Roosevelt’s environmental legacy reshaped how the United States viewed its natural resources—not as limitless commodities, but shared treasures in need of active stewardship for future generations. These actions, along with the selfless acts of others, are what made America great. Roosevelt’s environmental achievements set the bar for future presidents, but in the words of Winston Chuchhill, “Success is not final…” In many ways, nothing has changed for the environmental movement. We will continue to raise awareness and shape local and national environmental policy like we always have. I’ll leave you with a quote by Scottish Politician and essayist, Walter Elliot, “Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after the other.”