Teddy Roosevelt announced “leave it as it is” while viewing the Grand Canyon for the first time. To reconnect with the American wilderness and with the president who pushed to protected it, nature writer David Gessner embarks on a road trip across the country. On The Point, we talk with him about these iconic places and the start of America’s environmental movement. Gessner’s new book is titled Leave It As It Is: A Journey Through Theodore Roosevelt’s American Wilderness .