The Conservation Movement

"Conservation," a coined term, was a part of the "Progressive" political reform program at the turn of the century. It was also a major social movement underlying that program. Conservation doctrine, ¹ it is true, began with a focus on natural resources. But in the quest for political support, the doctrine was broadened to include other Progressive social welfare ideas. In terms of ideas, Conservation ranged all the way from abstract metaphysics to practical everyday activity of the individual—it concerned all the various natural sciences, economics, political science, public administration, sociology, engineering, art, and public health.