Conservation

Theodore Roosevelt’s leadership made conservation a defining national priority, reshaping how the United States treats its lands, waters, and wildlife. During his presidency, he helped protect roughly 230 million acres of public lands, championed the idea that natural resources should serve the public good, and inspired the later creation and growth of the National Park Service.

Roosevelt’s conservation legacy

Theodore Roosevelt is often called the “conservation president” because he elevated conservation from a niche concern to a core responsibility of the federal government. He created the U.S. Forest Service, established national forests and wildlife refuges, and signed laws that allowed presidents to protect important natural and cultural sites as national monuments. By the end of his presidency, he had set aside millions of acres in national parks, bird reservations, game preserves, and forests, helping to launch the modern conservation movement and changing how Americans think about public lands.

Theodore Roosevelt and the National Parks

Theodore Roosevelt’s actions helped lay the groundwork for the National Park System that exists today. He signed legislation creating multiple national parks and supported protection for landscapes of scientific, scenic, and historical importance. When the National Park Service was established in 1916, several of the sites it managed traced directly to TR’s initiatives or to areas his policies had safeguarded

TRA partnership with the National Park Service

The Theodore Roosevelt Association (TRA) supports the National Park Service’s stewardship of key Theodore Roosevelt sites, helping preserve the settings where his character was formed and his public life unfolded. Through advocacy, collaboration, and programming, the TRA works to strengthen resources and public engagement at Theodore Roosevelt-related park sites, advancing TR’s belief that treasured places should be protected and shared with all Americans.

Key Theodore Roosevelt sites

The TRA highlights and supports several National Park Service and related sites that interpret Theodore Roosevelt’s life and conservation legacy. These include:

• Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site in New York City, where visitors can explore the environment that shaped his early years and values.
• Sagamore Hill National Historic Site in Oyster Bay, Theodore Roosevelt’s beloved home and “Summer White House,” where many of his conservation ideas and policies were refined.
• Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site in Buffalo, where he took the presidential oath and began the administration that would transform American conservation.
• Theodore Roosevelt National Park and Theodore Roosevelt Island, which commemorate his connection to wild landscapes and his lasting influence on public lands.
  

Birding with TR

The TRA’s “Birding with TR” events extend Roosevelt’s passion for birds and wildlife into engaging, family-friendly experiences. These programs introduce participants to local birdlife, encourage field observation reminiscent of Roosevelt’s own ornithological interests, and connect modern conservation challenges to his legacy. By combining education, outdoor activity, and the story of Theodore Roosevelt, Birding with TR events help foster the next generation of conservation-minded citizens and keep TR’s love of nature vibrant and relevant today.

Learn More about Birding with TR

Shared Legacy

The Theodore Roosevelt Association (TRA) shares a profound historical and conservation-focused bond with the Boone and Crockett Club, rooted in Theodore Roosevelt's foundational role in establishing the Club in 1887 alongside George Bird Grinnell to promote fair chase hunting and wildlife preservation. TR served as the Club's first president from 1888 to 1894, leveraging its influential members— including writers, generals, and policymakers—to advocate for national parks, wildlife refuges, and ethical hunting practices that shaped modern conservation policy.

Both organizations honor Theodore Roosevelt's vision through ongoing initiatives, such as the Boone and Crockett Club's stewardship of the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Ranch since 1986, a key site for habitat research and education adjacent to vital wildlife areas.

This enduring partnership underscores a united commitment to Theodore Roosevelt's pioneering ethos of responsible stewardship, ensuring his influence endures in protecting North America's natural heritage.