exploring the history and the importance of wildlife...

Exploring the History and theImportance of Wildlife Conservation

WHAT WOULD the United States look like today

if wildlife conservation had not been

adopted? Would there be national parks or other

places to go to enjoy the wonders of nature? Would

there be migratory birds or other wildlife to admire

or hunt? We benefit from conservation efforts put

into effect years ago.

Objective:

� Explain the historical events, individuals,

and policies that have shaped wildlife

conservation.

Key Terms:

�

The History of Wildlife Conservation

When the European settlers arrived in North America in the 1600s, natural resources were

plentiful. Nature provided people with resources to build homes and to feed and clothe them-

selves. Eventually, need turned into want and people began to destroy wildlife for sport rather

than necessity. This led to exploitation—the use of natural resources for profit.

E-unit: Exploring the History and the Importance of Wildlife Conservation

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aesthetic value

commercial value

domestication

ecological value

ecology

Endangered Species Act

exploitation

Forest Service

game value

Lacey Act

Migratory Bird

Conservation Act

Migratory Bird Hunting

Stamp Act

National Park Service

Pittman-Robertson Act

scientific value

wildlife

wildlife conservation

wildlife management

Wildlife Refuge Service

It was not until the late 1800s that people

began to recognize the need for conservation of

our natural resources. During this time, the

Morrill Act was passed (in 1862) to establish

colleges to teach agriculture. In 1872, Yellow-

stone National Park was established as the first

national park in the world. Its purpose was to

preserve the natural resources of the area,

including the wildlife.

NATIONAL WILDLIFE

CONSERVATION POLICIES

Local, state, and federal governments are

responsible for developing and carrying out

wildlife conservation laws. In addition, wildlife

conservation is important on the international

level. For example, the World Wildlife Fund is

an international organization that raises money

to fund wildlife conservation. Laws enacted at

the federal level have helped in the

conservation of wildlife.

The National Park Service

In 1916, the National Park

Service was established as the

federal government agency

responsible for the care of

national parks. As of 2003, the

National Park Service was

responsible for 330 protected

areas, including the Great Smoky

Mountains in North Carolina and

Carlsbad Caverns in New Mex-

ico. The National Park Service is

also responsible for certain areas

on the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The Lacey Act

The Lacey Act is the 1900 law responsible for regulating the shipment of illegally killed

animals. The act also made it illegal to trade protected wildlife on the international level.


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FIGURE 1. Yellowstone National Park is the world’s first

national park.

FIGURE 2. The National Park Service is responsible for the care of areas

such as the Great Smoky Mountains.

The Migratory Bird Conservation Act

The Migratory Bird Conservation Act was passed in 1929. It did not supply money to

help protect the animals, but it was the first step in protecting migratory birds.

The Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act

The Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act was passed in 1934. People who are planning

to hunt migratory birds are required to buy these special stamps. Since 1934, these stamps have

raised $1 billion for migratory bird protection.

The Pittman-Robertson Act

The Pittman-Robertson Act was passed in 1937 to raise money (in the form of taxes on

hunting equipment and ammunition). The federal government collects the taxes and returns

matching money to the states.

The Endangered Species Act

The Endangered Species Act was passed in 1966 to identify and manage rare, threat-

ened, and endangered wildlife species.

The Wildlife Refuge System

The Wildlife Refuge System, established in 1966, is part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Service and provided safe havens for animals across the United States.

The Forest Service

The Forest Service is the part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture that manages 156

forests throughout the United States, including more than 191 million acres of forest and

grasslands.

State and Local Governments

State and local governments are also responsible for wildlife conservation. Establishing edu-

cation programs, setting up wildlife sanctuaries, and maintaining parks and zoos are examples

of how state and local governments can provide protection to wildlife.

NOTABLE PEOPLE

Many people have had an impact on the wildlife conservation movement over the past few

centuries, such as John James Audubon, John Muir, Theodore Roosevelt, Aldo Leopold,

Gifford Pinchot, Hugh Bennett, and Jay Darling.


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John James Audubon

John James Audubon (1785 to 1851) was a bird lover. He watched and studied birds and

eventually published a book about them. In 1905, the National Audubon Society was formed

in his honor.

John Muir

John Muir (1838 to 1914) was partly responsible for the

development of Yellowstone and Sequoia National Park. It

was through his encouragement that President Theodore

Roosevelt established these parks. Muir was also responsible

for starting the Sierra Club to promote conservation. A for-

est in California was also named for John Muir.

Theodore Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt (1858 to 1919) was responsible for

passing legislation to help protect our natural resources. As

a result, Roosevelt is considered the “father of the conserva-

tion movement.”

Aldo Leopold

Aldo Leopold (1886 to 1948) is noted for applying ecology to wildlife. Ecology is the study

of how organisms interact with their environment. Leopold believed that people should enjoy

nature without destroying it. His book Game Management was used to help educate future wild-

life biologists.

Gifford Pinchot

Gifford Pinchot (1865 to 1946) was the author of The Fight for Conservation. His efforts

focused on forest conservation, and he was one of the first leaders of what eventually became

known as the U.S. Forest Service.

Hugh Bennett

Hugh Bennett (1881 to 1960) was the first person to run the Soil Conservation Service, so

he is known as the “father of soil conservation.” He promoted the use of scientific investiga-

tion in determining soil needs.

Jay Darling

Jay Darling (1876 to 1962) was the designer of the first migratory bird hunting stamp. He is

remembered for his cartoons of wildlife and natural resources. He used his cartoons to make

the public aware of the need for natural resource conservation.


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FIGURE 3. John Muir was able to convince

President Roosevelt to establish

Yellowstone and Sequoia National Park.

THE VALUE OF WILDLIFE

All plants, animals, and living things that have not been domesticated are wildlife. Domes-

tication is tameness, and it is important because that is how humans are able to use wildlife

for consumptive purposes and non-consumptive purposes. Along with usefulness, wildlife has

value in the lives of people. The five basic values of wildlife are commercial, game, aesthetic,

scientific, and ecological.

Commercial Value

The money made from wildlife and fish is commercial value. It includes everything

from the sale of seafood and exotic foods in restaurants to the sale of wildlife magazines and

tours.

Game Value

The value of wildlife as game is

game value. It includes the

hunting and fishing of animals in

the wild to the hunting and fish-

ing of plants, such as mushrooms

and wild berries.

Aesthetic Value

The value of wildlife for its

beauty and pleasure is aesthetic

value. National parks and forests

exist to maintain the aesthetic

value of all types of wildlife.

Scientific Value

The value placed on the study and research of wildlife is scientific value. Through scien-

tific research, many new drugs and integrated pest management techniques have been devel-

oped.

Ecological Value

The value placed on the ecology or interaction of wildlife in nature is ecological value.

Having an understanding of ecology and ecosystems helps scientists determine wildlife needs.


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FIGURE 4. Wildlife has game value.

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

The wise use of natural resources in our environment is wildlife conservation. For wild-

life conservation to be successful, all people (or consumers) must make wise decisions. Habi-

tats and food sources must also be maintained. The four important areas of wildlife conserva-

tion are research, education, law enforcement, and management.

Research

Research is important to wild-

life conservation because it helps

scientists expand their knowledge

and awareness of the needs and

habitat requirements of wildlife.

Education

Without education, most peo-

ple would not know how to con-

serve the available wildlife

resources.

Law Enforcement

Law enforcement is important because it ensures that all laws related to wildlife conserva-

tion are followed. These laws were enacted to prevent species of wildlife from becoming

extinct.

Wildlife Management

Wildlife management is the manipulation of wildlife to achieve a positive goal. Examples

of wildlife management techniques include improving wildlife habitats and promoting safe

hunting.

Summary:

� In the late 1800s, people began to recognize the need for natural resource conserva-tion. Some landmark policies and acts include the Morrill Act, the Lacey Act, theMigratory Bird Conservation Act, the Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act, thePittman-Robertson Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the Wildlife Refuge Sys-tem.

Many people have had an impact on wildlife conservation, including John JamesAudubon, John Muir, Theodore Roosevelt, Aldo Leopold, Gifford Pinchot, HughBennett, and Jay Darling.


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FIGURE 5. Research is an important component of wildlife conservation.

(Courtesy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

There are five basic values of wildlife, including commercial value, game value, aes-thetic value, scientific value, and ecological value.

The wise use of the natural resources in our environment is wildlife conservation.The four important areas of wildlife conservation are research, education, lawenforcement, and management.

Checking Your Knowledge:

� 1. What have been some historic national wildlife conservation policies?

2. Who were some notable people in the wildlife conservation movement?

3. What are two federal agencies that manage national parks and forests?

4. What are the five basic values of wildlife?

5. What are four important areas of wildlife conservation?

Expanding Your Knowledge:

� Prepare a report and PowerPoint presentation on a notable figure in history whohad a positive impact on the wildlife conservation movement. Present the report toyour classmates.

Web Links:

� A History of Wildlife in North America

http://marinebio.org/Oceans/Conservation/Moyle/ch2.asp

History of Wildlife Conservation (PowerPoint)

http://64.233.169.104/search?q=cache:LElfhZXQnkAJ:pp026.k12.sd.us/History%2520of%2520wildlife%2520Conservation%2520Ch.%2520III.ppt+history+of+wildlife+conservation&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=9&gl=us

History

http://wildlifeconservation.gov/history.html

A History of Wildlife Conservation (PowerPoint)

http://64.233.169.104/search?q=cache:Bz01Pybjv_oJ:www.biosci.ohio-state.edu/~jharder/eeob661/History-CB%2520Handout.ppt+history+of+wildlife+conservation&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=15&gl=us

History of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceNational Wildlife Refuge System

http://www.eoearth.org/article/History_of_the_U.S._Fish_and_Wildlife_Service_National_Wildlife_Refuge_System


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http://marinebio.org/Oceans/Conservation/Moyle/ch2.asp

http://64.233.169.104/search?q=cache:LElfhZXQnkAJ:pp026.k12.sd.us/History%2520of%2520wildlife%2520Conservation%2520Ch.%2520III.ppt+history+of+wildlife+conservation&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=9&gl=us

http://wildlifeconservation.gov/history.html

wildlife+conservation&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=15&gl=us

http://www.eoearth.org/article/History_of_the_U.S._Fish_and_Wildlife_Service_National_Wildlife_Refuge_System

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