John Muir

The sound of rivers flowing. Sunlight flooding in through the leaves of the tall trees. Ice and snow building up on the mountain tops. Small sprouts pushing themselves out of the soil. This is the view that John Muir fought for. John Muir was a Scottish-American naturalist and author who fought to establish many national forests. “Muir immigrated to the United States in 1849, to live in Portage, Wisconsin, with his family” (“Commentary on John Muir”). He was admitted to the University of Wisconsin. However, he left without graduating because his interests were elsewhere: geology and botany. Later, “he moved to California, where he fell in love with the Sierra Nevada range and Yosemite Valley” (“Commentary on John Muir”). That is when he started to fight to preserve these beautiful sculptures of nature. He went to many preservationist campaigns to spread his message. He founded the Sierra Club to help conserve wilderness lands. Soon after, many people started to follow.  He was considered an inspiration to many, due to his many great characteristics. John Muir is a deserving hero because he has inspired many people through his selflessness and determination.

John MuirIsaiah West Taber (1830-1912), Thomas H Boyd (c1851-1883) [Public domain]John Muir was a man who wanted nature to stay in its purest form, which made him one of the first advocates for preserving the American wilderness. Muir cared about the wilderness more than himself: “Muir spent the rest of his life walking on field trips, writing articles and books, and engaging in preservationist campaigns” (“Commentary on John Muir”). He wanted to educate himself in all topics of nature. He preferred to learn on field trips rather than sitting in a classroom. After he gained the knowledge he sought after, he spread it to everyone by “writing articles and books”. He knew that the wilderness belonged to everyone, so to do that he went on many preservationist campaigns. Because he cared about the preservation of land so much, “In 1889 Muir argued in Century Magazine that Yosemite Valley should become a national park. The passage of legislation for that in 1890 owed much to his influence” (“John Muir”). By this time, Muir had gained a lot of trust from people and his opinion mattered. That is why after he argued in Century Magazine, “the passage of legislation for that owe much to his influence”. He succeeded in making the land for the people, with the help of the people. He knew that the natural territories were supposed to be for everyone so, “He worked to establish Yosemite National Park and Sequoia National Park as a way to protect them from development. For this he became known as the “father of the national parks.” Muir founded the Sierra Club in 1892 to advocate for preservation and he has influenced generations of preservationists with his writings. In the twenty-first century, the Sierra Club boasts 2.4 million members and supporters and continues its mission “to explore, enjoy, and protect the wild places of the earth”” (“Preservation”). He didn’t want the national parks to be industrialized and the hoard of natural resources to be used for something else. He worked on this matter so much that he became known as the “father of the national parks”. And if that wasn’t enough, he went to the people and spread his message. He founded the Sierra Club to spread the message to preserve nature. He left his legacy for everyone for now “the Sierra Club boasts 2.4 million members and supporters.” John Muir wanted to preserve the national parks for the people and the Earth. This mindset not only made him selfless, but also determined in protecting it.

John Muir viewingFrancis M. Fritz [Public domain]John Muir not only spoke out for the conservation of the natural territories, but he also took action for it. He became more determined to preserve the national parks so, “In 1897 he helped prod a federal forestry commission into creating thirteen forest reserves, which later became the core of the national forest system. In 1903 he led President Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919) on a camping trip to Yosemite, which resulted in their friendship and in Roosevelt's setting aside more national forests and monuments, including Muir Woods and Sequoia National Park” (“Commentary on John Muir”). He was starting to make progress so he decide to go further. He pushed the federal forestry commission to create thirteen more forest reserves. Then he befriended the President on a camping trip. This resulted in more reserves being set aside. Muir wasn’t backing down from getting the land preserved: “As early as 1876, Muir urged the federal government to adopt a forest conservation policy. He became a central figure in the debate over land use, advocating on behalf of land preservation primarily through articles published in popular periodicals” (The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica). He was starting to speak out more on adopting a forest conservation policy. He took it to the federal government which shows to which lengths he was taking it to. He conveyed his message through “articles published in popular periodicals”. This made a huge effect and set him as a main figure in the debate over land use. In his work, there were many opinions of what should have been done: “Muir's philosophy of preservation contrasted sharply with the idea of conservation promoted by Gifford Pinchot (1865–1946), the first head of the U.S. Forest Service. Pinchot believed that natural resources should be used sustainably to benefit individuals and industry. Muir, however, believed that nature's beauty deserved total protection due to its ability to restore the human soul. Both men wrote many articles to support their positions in the American press” (“Preservation”). Muir was determined to preserve all of the natural resources. On the other hand, Pinchot wanted to use the resources to boost industry. Muir and Pinchot clashed while they both were seeking support by writing articles in the American press. Eventually, Muir won. Muir faced many challenges in his time, but he overcame them and got more support with head-on determination.

Muir by LakeUnknown photographer [Public domain]John Muir helped to preserve many national forests standing today. He was one of the main reasons that there were national forests being set aside. His selflessness and determination to preserve those lands was another reason he was considered an inspiration to the people around him. That’s what makes him a deserving hero. Selflessness is a quality that many people strive to possess. Others just have it in them. John Muir was one of those people. He displayed that quality throughout his life. Muir also demonstrated true determination on many occasions. One of these examples was when he was striving to conserve the national parks. The significance of having these characteristics is that it can make anyone a better person, and it can gain the trust and support of friends and family. Muir took action to conserve the land: “his many articles in popular magazines greatly advanced the conservation movement. He helped establish the Sierra Club in 1892 and served as president until his death. After his death, the club continued to hold events to remember the naturalist” (“John Muir”). He published articles in the American press to gain support from people. After he got the support he needed, he established the club in which they all backed him up. Even after his death, his legacy continued and they held events to remember him.  Throughout his whole life, Muir, “advocate[d] for preservation and he has influenced generations of preservationists with his writings” (“Preservation”). John Muir didn’t give up on his goal. He went out publicly and advocated for the preservation of the parks. All of the articles he wrote influenced many people to do the right thing. Muir inspired many people. There are many things to admire about him. Personally, I admire his strong will and determination. He never gave up on his goal. People should take him as a role model for his amazing personality and qualities. John Muir was a man who only thought of one thing in his mind: to hear the sound of the rivers flow again.

Works Cited

"Commentary on John Muir." World War I and the Jazz Age, Primary Source Media, 1999. American Journey. Student Resources In Context, https://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/EJ2164000341/SUIC?u=powa9245&sid=SUIC&xid=68afc1f2. Accessed 21 Mar. 2019.

"John Muir." Encyclopedia of World Biography, Gale, 1998. Biography In Context, https://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/K1631004718/BIC?u=powa9245&sid=BIC&xid=605bfe35. Accessed 25 Mar. 2019.

"Preservation." UXL Sustainable Living, edited by Jason M. Everett, vol. 3, UXL, 2016, pp. 511-516. Research in Context, https://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/CX3629600108/MSIC?u=powa9245&sid=MSIC&xid=3343d18c. Accessed 26 Mar. 2019.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica.. “John Muir.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 28 Jan. 2019, www.britannica.com/biography/John-Muir.