In chapter two, “Hetch Hetchy Valley” by John Muir, he explains the beauty in both the Yosemite and the Hetch Hetchy Valley. John Muir’s accounts of the area played a major role in the establishment of the Yosemite National Park in 1890. John Muir focuses on the beauty in the parks including the wildlife and the waterfalls. The feelings that nature evokes in ones person is like no other feeling. Being one with the Earth requires seeing nature in its natural habitat and in its unmodified state. The goal of preserving national and state parks is to allow future generations to experience the same feeling as John Muir originally did.
In chapter 3, “Principles of Conservation,” by Gifford Pinchot explains the misconceptions and his beliefs on conservation. Conservation in Pinchot’s words means the greatest good to the greatest number for the longest time. I feel that this must always be a balance for if this is followed strictly to the book, then there won’t be any use of the resources. If there is too much fear of destroying the resource then it won’t be utilized for it value. Conservation can be applied to just about every part of life and anything on Earth.
-September 6, 2014
