Contrasting preservationist, romantic, pastoral, nostalgic, and utilitarian concepts of nature, the authors explore the public expression of these ideals in post-World War II politics. Natural States argues that, in both states and the U.S. as a whole, the greatest success of the environmental movement came when it was informed by a local, grassroots activism that viewed nature as a common good that should be shared by all.

This study traces the origins of conservation thinking in America to the naturalists who explored the middle-western frontier between 1740 and 1840.

This study traces the origins of conservation thinking in America to the naturalists who explored the middle-western frontier between 1740 and 1840.