This Land Was Saved for You and Me: How Gifford Pinchot, Frederick Law Olmsted, and a Band of Foresters Rescued America's Public Lands

America's public lands, including city parks, national forests, and wilderness areas, were shaped by conservation pioneers and protegees who advocated for open spaces. This history covers the nearly one hundred-year period between 1865 and 1964, highlighting the cast of characters and the political and economic factors that contributed to the triumphs and pitfalls in the quest to protect public lands.

Format: Hardback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 01 November 2022
Publisher: Stackpole Books

The story of America's public lands, encompassing city parks, national forests, and wilderness areas, is a testament to the profound impact of a few conservation pioneers and their protegees. While some of these individuals, such as Frederick Law Olmsted and Gifford Pinchot, have achieved widespread recognition, others have remained largely overlooked. This captivating narrative spans nearly a century, from 1865, when Olmsted played a pivotal role in creating Yosemite as a park and developing its management plan, to the signing of the Wilderness Act of 1964. Olmsted's influence extended to Pinchot, who became the inaugural head of the National Forest Service. In turn, Pinchot recruited the foresters who would go on to found The Wilderness Society and author the Wilderness Act itself. This history sheds light on the diverse cast of characters, including Theodore Roosevelt, Bob Marshall, Benton MacKaye, Aldo Leopold, and Howard Zahniser, and contextualizes their decisions within the political and economic frameworks that shaped the quest to protect public lands.

To delve deeper into this rich tapestry of conservation history, author Jeffrey Ryan embarked on a journey to the very places where these crusaders lived, worked, and found inspiration to champion the cause of accessible public lands. Through his research, Ryan sought to unravel the untold stories and bring to light the lesser-known figures who played pivotal roles in shaping the conservation movement. His book serves as a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding the origins and evolution of America's public lands, as well as the individuals who dedicated their lives to preserving and protecting these precious natural treasures.

Weight: 522g
Dimension: 238 x 160 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780811771665