Our green hero, John Muir, helped found the first one in Yellowstone, 1872, followed by Yosemite in 1890. Today there are 58 national parks across the United States, and what precious landmarks they are! I grew up just a short car ride from Lassen Volcanic National Park, where I had adventures on the Lily Pond Trail and Bumpass Hell, where hot mud pots and gaseous vents evidenced the rumbling volcanic activity beneath my feet. The first peak I ever climbed and the source of endless fascination, whether it be its historic eruptions in the 1910s, or a huge ant crawling over a log, I will always pay homage to Lassen for igniting my love of the natural world.
National Parks are stunning natural gems, set aside for the preservation that more wilderness deserves, making excellent public education tools. I had the opportunity to visit Zion, the Redwoods, and Lassen last summer, and I enjoyed every moment. Get in touch with your wild side today and support a National Park with a visit. You won’t regret it.
learn more @ www.nps.gov
more on John Muir @ sierraclub.org
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I had never heard that John Muir had a role in founding Yellowstone National Park. Do you happen to know what it was? From my various studies of the history of the founding of Yellowstone, his name has never come up. So, I was a little surprised to see it here and would be interested in any information you have.
A lot of people mistakenly credit Teddy Roosevelt, who definitely did not have a role. I must admit to being skeptical that Muir had a part in Yellowstone, but I would be very interested in knowing what it was.
Either way, I’m a little troubled by the mythology around Muir and any other “hero” green or otherwise. But, that’s taking us a little too far afield.
Thanks,
Jim Macdonald
John Muir helped found the park system (http://myhero.com/myhero/hero.asp?hero=j_muir) – I apologize, I obtained that information from an online text my professor wrote (no longer available online), but as I research it further it seems misleading. John Muir was inspired by Yellowstone to lobby to create a whole system of national parks.