Forest conservation

Five excerpts from the writings and presidential messages of Theodore Roosevelt in which he argues for measures to preserve forests and a system of game laws to regulate hunting. Roosevelt asserts that forests need to be preserved so that there will always be a supply of lumber to meet the needs of industry, to protect water supplies, and to prevent a crippling timber famine. Roosevelt says that without game laws to protect wildlife, hunting could become limited to the wealthy who have access to private game reserves.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1893-1905

Program from the Theodore Roosevelt Centennial celebration at Devils Tower National Monument. Speakers are from various conservation organizations, including the National Park Service, Forest Service and the Soil Conservation Service.

Collection

Devils Tower National Monument

Creation Date

1958-08-09

First day cover for a 4-cent forest conservation stamp. The stamp is green, brown, and yellow with a forest scene featuring two deer. Beneath the postmark is an image of Smokey the Bear with the message “Keep America Green.” Along the left side of the envelope is an illustration of a forest with a black and white portrait of Theodore Roosevelt labeled “An early forest conservationist.”

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site

Creation Date

1958-10-27

President Roosevelt addresses a crowd at Leland Stanford University in Palo Alto. He discusses his travels in California, scholarship, citizenship, industrialization, higher education, and preserving their land. Roosevelt especially discusses preserving the redwoods and forest conservation, as well as irrigation.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-05-12

President Roosevelt briefly greets a crowd in Campbell and remarks on the success of the National Grange.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-05-11

President Roosevelt briefly addresses a crowd at Big Tree Grove in Santa Cruz. He thanks them for their greeting and for their forest conservation efforts.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-05-11

President Roosevelt addresses the citizens of Santa Cruz, thanking them for the greeting. He speaks of the need for a first-class navy and congratulates the citizens on their forest conservation.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-05-11

President Roosevelt briefly speaks to a crowd in Los Angeles, thanking them for their welcome. He speaks of their mutual belief in the navy and irrigation. Roosevelt also discusses the preservation of forests.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-05-08

President Roosevelt’s speech while laying a cornerstone at the gateway to Yellowstone National Park. He discusses the creation of the park and its purpose. He also thanks the people for their cooperation to prevent acts of vandalism and destruction in the park.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-04-24

Theodore Roosevelt emphasizes the importance of preserving forests, while at the same discussing the role timber plays in industries like mining. Members of the Society of American Foresters must work harmoniously together.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-03-26

Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary discusses the usefulness of an article about Roosevelt’s work in forest and water conservation for the coming campaign. Harper suggests that J. W. Shaw write such an article and refers Shaw to Gifford Pinchot as a resource.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-05-08

President Roosevelt asks William T. Hornaday to attend the conference and speak about preservation of forests and other wildlife.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-12-29

President Roosevelt has received General Harrison Gray Otis’s letter, and thinks that the prospectus that Otis sent was very interesting. Roosevelt states that that his position on the wood pulp business has to do with the protection of forests. He respects Otis’s consistency.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-23

In a statement on the creation or expansion of multiple forest reserves, President Roosevelt states that he felt inclined to act because Congress does not yet have the ability to act. Roosevelt feels that the preservation of the forests is important to prevent them from being sold to the “lumber syndicates.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-03-02

President Roosevelt provides Gifford Pinchot with a letter of introduction to Andrew Carnegie. Pinchot has a matter he would like to discuss and Roosevelt hopes Carnegie can meet with him. Pinchot has provided invaluable service to forest preservation and Roosevelt has a high opinion of him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-02-15

President Roosevelt is favorable to the “Alaska forest reservation scheme.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-04-15

William T. Hornaday sends Theodore Roosevelt a copy of “The Statement of the Permanent Wild Life Protection Fund.” Hornaday is anxious that wildlife and forest conservation will be forgotten during the war and would like to take care of all three. He is happy to see American troops in France.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1917-06-29

Henry B. Runnalls writes to Theodore Roosevelt about Alaska. From 1897 to 1898, Runnalls was in charge of the postal service of Skagway, Alaska, and worked as a surveyor of the White Pass. Based on his time in the state, Runnalls believes that measures must be taken to ensure the conservation of Alaska’s forests and fisheries. Alaska’s natural resources are an essential asset to the entire United States, and Runnalls is concerned about the “irresponsible class of men” in the state who are attempting to profit from it. He discusses a number of wealthy families and companies vying for control of the land for its coal, timber, and copper riches — and suggests some may not be operating within the law. Runnalls cautions Roosevelt that these “present inhabitants” should not gain control of the state’s government.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-09-25

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-09-09

Creator(s)

White, John Barber, 1847-1923

Recipient

Baker, Bernard Nadal, 1854-1918

John Barber White asks Theodore Roosevelt to attend and speak at the Third National Conservation Congress, emphasizing his importance to the conservation movement and urging him to continue his leadership.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-09-08