The Evolution of the Conservation Movement, 1850–1920 facts for kids

"The Evolution of the Conservation Movement, 1850–1920" is an online collection from the Library of Congress. It's like a digital museum exhibit! It shows how people in America started to care about and protect our natural world, like forests, rivers, and wildlife. This collection uses old books, government papers, letters, pictures, and even early movies to tell the story. All these items come from the Library of Congress's huge collections.

Protecting Our Planet: The Conservation Movement

What is the Conservation Movement?

The conservation movement is all about protecting nature. It's about making sure we use our natural resources wisely. This means taking care of things like forests, water, and animals. The goal is to keep them healthy for us and for future generations. It's different from just preserving nature, which means leaving it completely untouched. Conservation often means using resources carefully so they don't run out.

Why Did Conservation Start in America?

In the mid-1800s, America was growing fast. People were building cities and farms. They were also using a lot of natural resources. Forests were cut down for wood. Rivers were used for factories. Some people started to worry that nature was being destroyed too quickly. They saw that beautiful places were disappearing. This led to the idea that nature needed protection.

Early Efforts to Protect Nature

People began to speak up. They wanted to save special places. They also wanted to manage resources better. This was so there would be enough for everyone. Early efforts included setting aside land. This land would be protected from development. It was a big step towards caring for the environment.

Key People and Ideas

Many important people helped the conservation movement grow. Writers, scientists, and politicians all played a part. They wrote books and articles. They gave speeches. They helped create new laws. These laws aimed to protect forests, parks, and wildlife. Their ideas helped shape how we think about nature today.

What Kinds of Records Are There?

This online collection shows how the conservation movement grew. It includes many different types of historical items. These items help us understand the past. They show how people thought about nature. They also show what actions they took.

Books and Documents

The collection has 62 books and pamphlets. These are like small books. They share ideas about nature. There are also many government papers. These include 140 federal laws and resolutions. These are rules and decisions made by the government. There are also 34 other legislative documents. These documents show how laws were discussed. You can also find parts of the Congressional Record. This is a record of what happens in Congress.

Pictures and Videos

The collection also has 170 prints and photographs. These pictures show what America looked like. They show how people used the land. They also show the beauty of nature. There are even 2 historic manuscripts. These are handwritten documents. Plus, there are 2 early motion pictures. These videos give us a glimpse into the past. They show how people lived and worked.