 
what could be done to stop the waste? 
theodore roosevelt, 26th president of the united states, tried to answer 
this question. 
"teddy" roosevelt was active in many fields: as a rancher in north dakota, 
as an explorer in africa, as a writer of books about history and nature, and 
as a leader of the famed rough riders cavalry regiment during the 
spanish-american war. 
however, what most interests us here is that teddy roosevelt was also a 
leading conservationist. 
a conservationist is a person who wishes to protect natural resources. 
he believes that resources should not be wasted. 
roosevelt's interest in conservation grew out of his love for the outdoor 
life. 
he liked hiking, camping, horseback riding, and exploring. 
born in 1858 in new york city, he suffered ill health during his youth. 
he deliberately set out to build his weak body through exercise, such as 
boxing and vigorous outdoor activity. 
this, in turn, led him to become a naturalist, that is, a student of 
plants and wildlife. 
can you see why almost all naturalists also become conservationists? 
at the time that roosevelt became president, there was a growing alarm 
over the terrible waste of our resources. 
people gave speeches crying "save our woods!" 
they got a great boost when roosevelt, in his first message to congress in 
1901, declared, "the forest and water problems are perhaps the most vital 
internal problems of the united states." 
the president of the united states had told the nation that we must save 
our natural resources. 
on his recommendation congress passed a law for the irrigation of dry 
land. 
