Serving as US president from 1901 until 1909, Roosevelt is known for his commitment to the conservation of natural places. He created the foundation for the national park system, protecting Yellowstone and Yosemite lands, and he established the United States Forest Service. Roosevelt had been interested in nature and science from a young age. However, the indoor study of nature at Harvard did not appeal to him and he turned to politics as a career instead.

As a child, Roosevelt had to overcome asthma and he did so by strengthening his body. He looked upon nature as a challenge, whether it be places to explore or animals to hunt. Thus, he had instrumental reasons for the preservation of natural places. He wanted these lands to serve as natural resources and recreational spaces for people. He did not value them for their inherent value, nor did he view the environmental system, with all of its species, as interconnected. Roosevelt believed strongly in individualism and the ability of the human will to conquer nature. In one of his previous adventures to Africa, he hunted big game with his son Kermit. Specimens of species were collected on his adventures for the sake of scientific knowledge.