Saturday, February 17, 2007

Snickers and President's Day

my pimped pic!
When I was growing up, we celebrated Washington's Birthday, Lincoln's Birthday and there was talk of celebrating other President's birthdays. Finally, it was decided that we should celebrate all the President's birthdays on a single day, President's Day. Snicker's is going to Honor President Roosevelt this year. She even dressed up in costume for the occasion. President Roosevelt loved the outdoors. He is responsible for setting aside the National Parkland that makes up Yellowstone Park. When you visit the park, as you enter the northern gate, you will cross through the Roosevelt archway marking his contribution. I have added a link to the National Parkservice so you can visit this extraordinary park. We were lucky enough to visit this park two years ago and I count this as one of the highlights of my life.

4 comments:

Boo Casanova said...

finally snickers is pimping herself up! hehehe.

wet wet licks

Boo

Jim Macdonald said...

I've never been quite sure what Roosevelt's contribution to Yellowstone National Park was since it was founded in 1872 when Grant was President. The first President to visit was Chester Arthur in 1883. Grover Cleveland was President when the cavalry came in to stop poaching. Benjamin Harrison was President when forests around Yellowstone were protected (at least nominally). Heck, the National Park Service was founded in 1916 when Woodrow Wilson was President. Roosevelt visited Yellowstone, worked with the National Bison Association (which saved some bison but also at the same time set them on the route to domestication and is the reason why so many of the bison that exist now have cattle genes in them), and the National Forest Service was founded under Roosevelt's watch, but even that was founded under a different conservation philosophy than the one under which the NPS was formed, emphasizing multiple use (that is, recreation, logging, etc.)

Anyhow, so many think that Teddy Roosevelt gave us Yellowstone, and though you don't say that, it seems to imply the myth. I cover Yellowstone news as a daily hobby, and I'm amazed by the spread of this myth (also in those I've talked with over the years). It would be good that we correct this myth so that we better understand the national parks and the processes that brought them into being.

Jim

Sharon said...

Thanks Jim,
Even the books we brought home from Yellowstone speak of Roosevelt's contribution. Perhaps the most important thing is that he publicized the importance of preserving our national lands for future generations. Without bringing that goal to the forefront, we would not be as far along as we are today. It is a continual struggle to preserve and protect. Keep up the cause!

Oscar's mummy and daddy said...

You look so funny Snickers!

Well done Roosevelt for preserving parkland for future generations to enjoy!

Licks
Oscar x