Post on 13-Mar-2020
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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