157 years ago yesterday one of the greatest land and wildlife conservationists our nation has ever embraced was born at home in Manhattan – Theodore Roosevelt. An asthmatic and sickly kid, TR went on to live a full and storied life; his adventures still capture the hearts and minds of those who care to dig a bit deeper and read something beyond football scores and entertainment news.
Among other things TR created the US Forest Service, National Forests and what would become the National Park Service and played a roll in protecting something north of 230 million acres of land.
TR’s public land legacy has been treasured and enjoyed by literally millions over the years.
We now live in a different day and age, one that finds some states, led by a new breed of renegade robber barons (principally state legislators), openly attacking this legacy of public lands – you’ve heard the story before.
In remembrance of TR’s birthday yesterday, the TRCP is pushing to get their Public Lands Petition over 25,000 (it was in the range of 19,600 a couple of days ago) – if you’ve not signed it PLEASE click over and do so – the public lands grab is far, far from over.
Image: Driving the Roosevelt Arch, Jess McGlothlin Media
