Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States, prioritized conservation and preservation of natural resources. Long before environmental protection was widely recognized as essential, he understood that the health of the environment was inseparable from the well-being of the nation.

During his presidency, Roosevelt placed approximately 230 million acres of the United States under public protection. He did this through the creation of national parks, national forests, game preserves, and more. Roosevelt also established the U.S. Forest Service and signed the Antiquities Act, which gave presidents the authority to create national monuments preserving sites of natural, cultural, and scientific importance.

Roosevelt’s legacy endures today through the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, an organization which safeguards public lands, wildlife habitat, and outdoor access. His leadership reminds us that protecting nature is fundamentally a long-term investment in our collective future.