The Rise of the American Conservation Movement: Power, Privilege, and Environmental Protection

The Rise of the American Conservation Movement is a groundbreaking book that sheds light on the complex and often controversial history of environmental activism in the United States.

Written by renowned historian Dorceta E.

Taylor, this comprehensive study examines how race, class, and gender influenced every aspect of the conservation movement, from its establishment to its early twentieth-century peak. Through a nuanced and far-reaching analysis, Taylor reveals the competing motivations, conflicts, problematic practices, and achievements of key players in the movement, including white urban elites, poor and working-class people of color, women, and Native Americans.

By challenging previous hagiographic portrayals of conservationists, this book provides a more balanced understanding of the past and its relevance to modern environmental issues. With a focus on the contributions of marginalized groups and a critical perspective on the establishment, The Rise of the American Conservation Movement is an essential read for historians, naturalists, and anyone interested in the complex history of environmental activism.