Conservation in the Department of the Interior (Classic Reprint) - Hardcover

Ray Lyman Wilbur

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0484082132 ISBN 13: 9780484082136

Publisher: Forgotten Books, 2017

Synopsis

Conservation in the Department of the Interior illuminates how the U.S. government shaping land, water, and people has powered the American West.

This book explains the big ideas behind managing public lands, irrigating arid regions, and guiding Indian affairs through a practical, policy‑driven lens. It shows how conservation, development, and education have intertwined to create lasting national impact.

The text surveys how water scarcity, land ownership, and resource governance have influenced settlement, industry, and daily life. It discusses the evolution of programs that move Indian children into public schools, promote native crafts, and expand economic independence. It also traces the land surveys, mineral rights, and railroad land grants that helped build a continental economy while raising questions about stewardship and equity.

• How irrigation, water rights, and public land policies shaped growth in the western United States.
• Steps taken to integrate Indian communities into broader economic life through education and work opportunities.
• Historical context for mining laws, land claims, and the management of petroleum and mineral resources.
• The role of national parks, public facilities, and preservation in the nation’s development.

Ideal for readers of American environmental and policy history who want a grounded view of how the Interior Department balanced conservation with expansion, governance, and progress.

Edition details

• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication date: 2017
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0484082132
• ISBN 13: 9780484082136
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 297