Environmentalism on the Local and State Levels

Environmentalism on the Local and State Level

Since the establishment of Yellowstone National Park and the subsequent establishment of the National Park System, the federal government has established a rich legacy of environmental stewardship. Additionally, cities and states have demonstrated an admirable concern for the environment.

Many state and local efforts coincided with those on the national level. Plans to for what became New York City’s Central Park began in the 19th century. At the time, the site in Manhattan did not have the population density or a significant number of dwellings. The area consisted mostly of farms. Unfortunately, there were 1600 residents, including approximately 225 African American residents living in Seneca Village, who were displaced by eminent domain. The famed architect Frederick Law Olmsted partnered with Calvert Vaux to design the 843-acre park.

Central Park is a tourist and recreational destination, and its environmental benefits are notable. Over 18,000 trees clean the air and cool the atmosphere in Central Park. It serves as a habitat for 200 species of birds on their migratory path.

In the closing decades of the 19th century, Chicago passed the first anti-smoke air pollution laws. The 1909 International Boundary Waters Treaty created a commission to handle disputes over waters shared by the United States and Canada. Though only signed into law in 2008, the Great Lakes Compact marked the culmination of nearly a century of efforts to protect waterways in the region.

While national parks like Yellowstone remain popular tourist destinations, there are over 6600 state parks covering 14 million acres of land throughout the United States. Within Kansas, there are 28 state parks illustrating the important role states play in protecting these precious lands and resources throughout our nation.