President Lincoln's signature transformed America's relationship with nature

[David Lockmiller]

Did President Abraham Lincoln realize his signature would transform America’s relationship with nature?

Across the Western United States, you’ll find state parks in all shapes and sizes, and often close to home, in part because President Lincoln thought everyone should have access to nature.

On a cold and damp Iowa evening last October, I sat in a tent and thought about Abraham Lincoln. More precisely, I thought about Lincoln signing a minor piece of legislation deeding the Yosemite Valley to the state of California. It happened in 1864, while the Civil War raged.

It is important because of just a few words. California was given ownership of Yosemite on the condition that the land “be held for public use, resort, and recreation.” This was the official approval of a remarkable and radical idea: Everyone should have access to nature. It led to our ecosystem of national and state parks, wilderness areas and nature preserves — all generally committed to providing this access.

And it came at a time when President Lincoln presumably had a lot on his mind.

Did President Abraham Lincoln realize his signature would transform America’s relationship with nature?

I say "YES"