Teddy Roosevelt and Migratory Bird Treaty Act

Introduction to Forest Reserves and Wildlife Management

• The forest reserves were established by the Act of 1891, but lacked management plans.

• A newly appointed forestry division was tasked with managing these lands, leading to an early stage of wildlife and natural resource management.

Challenges of Early Wildlife Management

• Wildlife agencies were limited and varied in capability from state to state.

• These agencies had little funding, political clout, and enforcement power for existing conservation laws.

• Despite laws, overexploitation led to the extinction of various species.

  • Notable extinctions include:

    • Steller sea cow

    • Grey dog

    • Sea mink

    • Island bull, Labrador duck

    • Speckled cormorant

  • Many species were lost before they could even be documented.

Decline of Species

• While landscapes appeared healthy, many species were endangered due to overexploitation and inadequate protections.

• The American bison population plummeted to only 22-23 individuals by 1905, indicating severe endangerment.

• The eastern U.S. saw significant declines in common species such as deer, beaver, and bear due to habitat destruction and overhunting.

Teddy Roosevelt's Conservation Efforts

Early Political Career

• Teddy Roosevelt's conservation ideology developed during his early political career and personal experiences in the West.

• He served in various political roles including:

  • New York State Legislator (age 24)

  • Governor of New York

  • Assistant Secretary of the Navy.

Perspectives Shaped by Experience

• His experiences as a rancher (1884-1886) and hunter led him to appreciate the need for wildlife conservation.

• He became aware of the negative impacts of overgrazing and logging on natural resources.

Influential Moments in Conservation

• Upon becoming president in 1901, Roosevelt promoted conservation as a priority and recognized its importance.

• Despite his popularity and charisma, he faced political challenges in promoting a conservation agenda.

• Roosevelt’s hunting trip in Maine exemplified his ethical hunting principles when he refused to shoot a bear that was unfairly subdued.

Iconic Legacy: The Teddy Bear

• Following his refusal to kill the bear, a political cartoon led to the creation of the "Teddy bear," highlighting his ethical stance on hunting.

Conservation Policies and Achievements

Establishment of Educational Framework

• Roosevelt organized a significant conference in 1908 that involved governors and conservationists to discuss wildlife management and preservation.

• He influenced the inclusion of conservation in dictionaries and public discourse.

Formation of National Wildlife Refuges

• Roosevelt used executive powers to designate forest reserves and wildlife refuges, most notably:

  • Pelican Island became the first national wildlife refuge in 1903.

Establishment of the U.S. Forest Service

• The 1905 Transfer Act authorized Roosevelt to place all forest reserves under the U.S. Department of Agriculture, effectively creating the U.S. Forest Service under the leadership of Gifford Pinchot.

• This act allowed for organized management and protection of wildlife resources.

National Conservation Congress (1908)

• First real conference on conservation

• Established Conservation Commision with Pinchot as the head

The Conservation Movement Split

Divergence in Conservation Ideologies

• Key figures in the conservation movement included:

  • Gifford Pinchot (a conservationist) who advocated for the sustainable use of natural resources.

  • John Muir (a preservationist) who argued for the complete protection of wilderness areas without human intervention.

• Their differing views illustrated the broader implications of conservation versus preservation.

Influences and Collaborations

• Roosevelt facilitated dialogues between preservationists and conservationists, integrating both perspectives into national policies.

• The tensions between these camps emerged in debates over places like Hetch Hetchy Valley in Yosemite, where Muir opposed conservation use proposals endorsed by Pinchot.

Legislative Developments in Conservation

Migratory Bird Protection

• The decline of bird populations due to habitat loss and hunting catalyzed significant legislative efforts.

• The introduction of key legislation included:

  • The 1904 Shiraz Bill, advocating federal regulation of wildlife.

  • The 1913 Weeks-McLean Bill, which recognized the need to protect migratory birds but initially faced constitutional challenges.

  • In 1916, the Migratory Bird Treaty was signed with Great Britain, ultimately providing legal protection for migratory bird species across state borders.

Conservation Success Stories

• The migration of birds began to recover following the implementation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which prohibited indiscriminate hunting methods and regulated seasons.

Significance of Roosevelt's Era

• Roosevelt established a significant framework for wildlife conservation that balanced aesthetic preservation with practical resource management.

• His influence initiated a structure for federal and state cooperation in conservation efforts, setting a foundation for modern wildlife management.

• The period is marked by a proactive regulatory approach to managing and recovering wildlife populations, such as birds and large mammals, and raising public awareness about the importance of conservation.