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George Perkins Marsh
Born on March 15 was the man who was considered to be America's first environmentalist and was the first to really describe the interdependence of environmental and social relationships. Marsh was the first person to raise concern about the destructive impact humans had on the environment, no one really turned to the study of the earth as the home of humankind. Marsh died on July 23, 1882 and is best remembered for his contribution of man and nature. -
Theodore Roosevelt
Born on October 27, Theodore Roosevelt was the first president to create a Federal Bird Reserve. The decimation of bison, and the eradication of elk, bighorn sheep, deer, and other game species was a loss in which Roosevelt felt indicative of society's perception of our natural resources. He used his authority to protect wildlife by creating the United States Forest Service by establishing millions of acres of public land. He died on January 6, 1919 and has 6 national parks dedicated to him. -
Alice Hamilton
Born on February 27, 1869, Alice Hamilton chose medicine as a career. Being a physician and authority on lead poisoning and industrial disease, her work led to improved safety standards nationwide. She was the first woman on the faculty of Harvard University in 1919 and NIOSH presents an award in her name. Hamilton died on September 22 and is remembered as one of the women who changed the world. -
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone is said to be a smoking gun that illustrates how violent the Earth can be. Established on March 1, 1872, the park is 3,472 square miles consisting of about 290 waterfalls, an active volcano, more than 500 geysers, deep canyons and 1,000 to 3,000 earthquakes annually. There are about 386 different species with about 3.8 million visitors a year that fill the park with life. -
Aldo Leopold
Born on January 11, Leopold developed an appreciation at a young age and interest in the natural world. He became one of the leaders of the American wilderness movement, a wildlife manager, a hunter, husband, father, naturalist, and scientist. He thought of the idea known as a land ethic "A new way of thinking and acting towards the land" He died on April 21, 1948 and is remembered by some as the father of Wildlife Conservation in this country. -
Lacey Act
A law was created to import, export, sell, acquire, or purchase alive or dead fish, wildlife, or plants that are taken, possessed, transported, or sold in violation. This law helps to prevent the spread of invasive, or non-native species and enforces civill and criminal penalties for the illegal trade of animals and plants. The law was amended on May 8, 2008 -
Antiquities Act
Created in 1906, this act was created for many reasons. It protects special natural, historical and cultural areas as national monuments, to expand monument boundaries, direct resources toward monument management, and re-designate monuments as national parks. It was used by 16 presidents, although 3 presidents did not use it. -
Edward Abbey
Born on January 29, Abbey worked as a park ranger and fore lookout for the National Park Service. He observed both remnants of ancient Indian culture and civilization, he developed intimacy in the regions landscape that was to shape his writing career. His writing focused primarily on environmental issues. -
The Dust Bowl
For a decade, people of Oklahoma were stuck in a drought since their land and homes were buried in dirt that was thrown up off the grounds due to the strong winds. Some days, it was impossible to see 2 feet in front of them. By 1934, the the Great Plains of Oklahoma were transformed into a desert which is where the name "Dust Bowl" came about. The Dust Bowl left many farmers with no money, no land for crops or livestock, and no consumers. -
Civilian Conservation Corps
From 1933 to 1942, a world relief program that gave millions of young men employment environmental projects during the Great Depression. One of the smartest and successful of the new deal programs by President Roosevelt programs that was made by these men was planting 3 billion trees and constructing trails. He also constructed shelter and more than 700 national parks nationwide. -
Wilderness Act
Created in 1964, this act provides criteria for determining sustainability and establishes restritions on activities that can be undertaken. 2.5 million acres of land and water are under authority of this act and it is provided for use of motorized vehicles and construction. -
The Clean Air Act
Created in 1970, this act is a federal law that regulates and protects public health and public welfare from air emissions caused by stationary and mobile sources. -
The First Earth Day
The first Earth Day was created by Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin who believed the Earth needed great care since this is the only earth we have. After seeing the aftermath of the large oil spill in Santa Barbara, California, he knew something serious had to be done. He was upset about the fact that something so important like our environment wasn't an issue to politics and the media. Starting out with 20 million, more than 1 billion people now participate in Earth Day. -
The Love Canal
The Love Canal was a canal in the middle of a neighborhood right off the Niagara River in Niagara Falls, New York where many toxic chemicals and waste was dumped. Many people who lived in the neighborhood were exposed to life threatening toxins that caused birth defects, mental retardation, illnesses, and cancers. About 700 families were removed from the community but just 15 years later, the houses went up for sale although the toxins still remained in the air and ground. -
The Oil Pollution Act
Created in 1990, this act streamlined and strengthened OPA's ability to prevent and respond to oil spills. The act was passed following the Exxon Valdez oil spill of 1989. To clean oil spills, a tax on oil was financed. OPA also requires the development of area contingency plans to prepare and plan for oil spills.
