John Muir
John Muir was 30 years old when he first climbed up the Sierra Nevada in 1868. He spent the next five years learning about the mountains. He considered a rugged 50-mile hike a good “two day saunter.” Once he lashed himself to the top of a 100-foot-high Douglas fir during a storm so he could experience how a tree withstands the wind’s buffeting. His explorations taught him more about the Sierra Nevada than anyone had ever known.
Muir began writing essays and delivering speeches describing the glories of the wilderness. Two articles published in 1890—“Treasures of the Yosemite” and “Features of the Proposed Yosemite National Park”—encouraged the American public to see the value of preserving natural forests and mountain meadows. Thanks to Muir’s words and vision, a bill was passed that saved part of Yosemite as a national park. Yet, the lovely Yosemite Valley remained under California’s control as a state park.
Muir refused to give up on this unique American spot. In 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt traveled to Yosemite. On a four-day camping tour, Muir convinced the president that the ancient giant sequoia trees in California needed protection. By 1906, the grove of trees and Yosemite Valley were included in the national park.
Muir continued his conservation efforts as the first president of the Sierra Club. The club is still in existence today and remains committed, as Muir was, to preserving America’s wilderness.
Well before our current age of environmental awareness, John Muir believed that people needed to discover their connections with nature and that wilderness spaces provided those places. Muir was one of the first Americans to speak passionately and forcefully about the importance of preserving our natural environment. He is considered the father of the modern environmental movement.