Teddy Roosevelt and Conservation
Teddy Roosevelt was dedicated to Conservation efforts. He was appalled by the pillaging of timber and mineral resources. Under his presidency, Congress passed the landmark Newlands Act of 1902, which allowed Washington to collect money from the sale of public lands in the west and use these funds for irrigation projects. The Roosevelt Dam was dedicated by Roosevelt in 1911. Many other dams were constructed in almost every major western river in the following decade. Roosevelt also tried to preserve the nation's forests, which were slowly disappearing. Roosevelt set aside federal reserves of about 125 million acres. He also earmarked millions of acres of coal deposits, as well as water resources for irrigation and power. This picture shows one of the reserves that Roosevelt set aside. The entrance has the words "For the benefit and enjoyment of the people." The land was set aside and conserved for people's enjoyment.