Theodore Roosevelt: Conservationist and President

During his first term as president Theodore better know as Teddy took a journey with John Muir, a well-known naturalist, through the wilderness of what is now Yosemite National Park. The trip was only for three days, beginning in Mariposa Grove, seeing marvels like Sentinel Dome, Glacier Point, and hiking through Yosemite Valley.

The First night the men camped in Mariposa Grove under the Grizzly Giant, a tree over 200 feet high and just shy of 100 feet in diameter. However surprisingly, it is only the 26th largest giant sequoia living today. While photography technology was still in it’s infancy, they were able to snap a picture right in front of the Grizzly Giant.

(Teddy Roosevelt can be seen in the middle of the group with John Muir to his left)

On the second day the spent the night near Sentinel Dome also referred to as Half Dome. It holds that name becasue of it’s unique structure as one side has a sheer face while the other three are rounded, making it look like a dome cut in half. During the night a snow storm drop 5 fresh inches of snow ontop of the 5 feet already on the ground. Muir noted that even in the remote wilderness the president slept comfortably atop a pile of 40 wool blankets.

The third night was Muirs chance to plead his case for the protection of the Yosemite wilderness along with setting aside other areas in the country for the sole purpose of becoming parks. While gathered around the fire Muir explained why the land of Yosemite should be receded from the state of California to the United States. Roosevelt agreed saying “two controls made for triple troubles.” This disscussion prompted Roosevelt to sign orders for the reccession of Yosemite from the state of California. This withdrew state protection of the land and giant sequoia trees and placed them under federal protection.

Over the course of his presidency Roosevelt created five national parks, fifty five national bird  sanctuaries and wildlife refuges, along with one hundred and fifty national forest. Truely earning the name “The Great Conservationist”