The Creation of America’s Public Lands

Guest: John Clayton, author of "Natural Rivals: John Muir, Gifford Pinchot, and the Creation of America’s Public Lands"

John Muir advocated for the preservation of nature. Gifford Pinchot was more concerned about sustainability. For this reason, the Founder of the National Parks and the Founder of the U.S. Forest Service are often portrayed as fierce enemies. In reality, although they had different philosophies about land management, each man respected and admired the other. Together they played a vital role in the establishment of national parks and public lands.

 

When the Army Ruled Yellowstone

Guest: Thomas Rust, Professor of History at Montana State University Billings, and author of “Watching Over Yellowstone: The US Army's Experience in America's First National Park, 1886–1918”

Creating Yellowstone National Park was quite a feat to begin with, but managing and patrolling it was quite another. For 32 years, the US Army protected the park and provided a pattern for the Ranger system. They had to deal with poachers practicing guerrilla warfare, hawkers setting up shop, and even boredom and desertion.