National Conservation Commission facts for kids

The National Conservation Commission was a special group created on June 8, 1908. It was set up by President Theodore Roosevelt to help protect America's natural resources. This commission included members from the United States Congress and other government experts. Gifford Pinchot, a key figure in conservation, was in charge of its main committee.

This commission was one of several groups Roosevelt formed to focus on conservation during his time as president (1901–1909). It was created after a big meeting called the Conference of Governors. This meeting itself came from ideas suggested by the Inland Waterways Commission earlier in 1908.

What Was the Commission?

The National Conservation Commission was split into four main parts:

• Water
• Forests
• Lands
• Minerals

Each part had its own leader. The commission's main job was to make the very first list of all the natural resources in the United States. They put all their findings into a three-volume report. This report was given to Congress in early 1909.

The commission's work also included Gifford Pinchot's ideas on how to manage resources. These ideas became a big plan for the government to follow. President Roosevelt and Pinchot wanted the commission to keep working, but Congress decided not to give it more money.

Working Together Across Borders

President Roosevelt also invited leaders from Canada, Newfoundland, and Mexico to a meeting called the North American Conservation Conference. The goal was to talk about how these countries could work together on conservation issues.

Everyone at the conference agreed to try and coordinate their plans for managing natural resources. They decided that each country should create its own commission to help with cooperation and sharing information. This agreement didn't lead to a formal joint commission, but it did inspire Canada to create its own important group.

Canada's Conservation Commission

Canada established a group called the Commission of Conservation. This commission was non-partisan, meaning it didn't favor any political party. It was made up of an executive committee and also worked with universities to get scientific and technical advice.

The Canadian commission had seven working groups:

• Forestry
• Lands
• Fisheries
• Game and Wildlife
• Water and Waterpower
• Minerals
• Public health

This commission was very active and completed over two hundred studies before 1919.

See also

• National Conservation Exposition