By: Michelle Strand (Claire’s coworker)
In light of Presidents Day I wanted to acknowledge and honor some past Presidents who were particularly friendly to the environment. Throughout its history, America has had Presidents with a wide range of approaches to the environment. There are several with accomplishments worth noting though because of their significant impact on the planet.
Abraham Lincoln helped establish the Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias as a public trust. It was the first time land was specifically set aside for public enjoyment and it helped lay the groundwork for the national parks system. He also founded the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and supported the development of the National Academy of Sciences.
Theodore Roosevelt lobbied Congress for wilderness protection, used the Forest Reserve Act of 1891 to establish 150 million acres of timberland as public domains, supervised creation of the U.S. Forest Service and created 50 wildlife refuges and five national parks. He is well remembered as popularizing the ideas of good resource stewardship and respect for nature.
Jimmy Carter created the Department of Energy in 1977, with an important goal being the establishment of a national energy policy that promoted clean and alternative fuels. He installed solar panels on the White House roof and set the mansion’s thermostats at 68 degrees to save energy. He passed important laws, including the Soil and Water Conservation Act, the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act, the Antarctic Conservation Act, the Endangered American Wilderness Act and the Superfund Act.
Bill Clinton helped to create 17 new national monuments, and preserved more than 4.6 million acres. He also increased protection for wetlands and old-growth forests, established a rule that banned road building on nearly 60 million acres of wilderness in national forests and strengthened the Drinking Water Act.
Roger Doiron, founder of Eat the View and Kitchen Gardeners International is currently petitioning President Obama to show support of the environment by planting an organic garden on the white house lawn. His idea is that the food from the gardens could be used in the white house kitchen or donated locally while promoting the nutritional and economical benefits of growing your own food. For more information about this movement or to get involved, go to eattheview.org.
Happy Presidents Day!!!
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