Complicating Conservation

The conservation movement of the early 1900s helped to create the National Park system and establish crucial protections for the nation's animals, plants, and landscapes. But some conservationists also embraced exclusionary ideas and policies that caused incalculable harm to people. Madison Grant and William Kent believed that the United States should be, as Kent put it, "a white man's country." They supported immigration restrictions and racial segregation. Grant and other conservationists, including President Theodore Roosevelt, also believed in eugenics. They wanted to prevent people they considered inferior--including people of color and people with disabilities--from having children.

These stories are part of NPS history. Understanding them is necessary to build a more inclusive future.

Looking for a Deeper Dive?

Looking for a deeper dive? This article from Parks Stewardship Forum invites you to explore the connections between conservation, eugenics, and our national parks. Consider how we can appreciate our parks while contending with their difficult histories. Please note this article is written in an academic style, so it is longer and more complex than the other content on this page.