Conservation and Preservation When examining both the Conservation and Preservation aspects of the later progressive reform movement, two major figures stand out: Gifford Pinchot and John Muir. Pinchot became the USDA's chief forester in 1905, and his views centered on the regulated use of America's forests. It rose to prominence through the conservation movement, which focused on the idea that nature should serve humanity. On the other hand, Muir was one of the greatest proponents of preserving nature as it is and not using it for the benefit of humans. He was the founder of the Sierra Club and the largest supporter of the creation of federally controlled natural areas and some national parks. Muir was a conservationist, meaning he protected nature for nature's sake and not to serve humans. It was the collision between the two ideas of conservation and preservation, one protecting nature to better serve humans, and the second aiming to preserve nature just to have it as it is. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the original essay The breaking point between the two ideologies occurred in the 1920s, with the Hetch Hetchy incident. The incident occurred because San Francisco needed to build a dam on the Tuolomme River in order to provide a water reservoir for the city. Pinchot and conservationists supported the idea that the dam was necessary because it was necessary for human needs and that, according to their ideology, nature exists and we must take care of it in order to serve humans. When it comes to the dilemma between saving nature and serving humans, Pinchot was entirely sympathetic to the human perspective. Muir and conservatives, on the other hand, argued that the dam should not be created because it would disrupt and alter the environment and ecosystem of the area. Once again, the ideology of the conservatives was that nature should not be disturbed and alternated, but rather be preserved as it is and remain pure and untouched. What followed was a political and environmental battle between the two to alternate or preserve Hetch Hetchy. John Muir, as the founder of the Sierra Club, led a great fight to prevent the destruction of another natural environment. The final decision was made by Muir's opponent Pinchot, who argued for damming the river for humans during a 1923 congressional deliberation that approved damming the river. To answer the question of what Pinchot and Muir's reactions would be after watching the film Finding Hetch Hetchy, I think they would have been very blinded and barely focused on the meaning and two-sided perspective of the film. history. If Pinchot had watched this film, I think his reaction would have been very positive and he would feel accomplished by his actions. Since his ideology is to care for nature, but focus on human benefit, he would have been very happy to see that his plan was working and still benefiting humanity today, which is really important in preserving of nature. Now, if Muir had watched the film, he would have been very disappointed and would have a feeling of human failure in the face of nature. As he died shortly after the dam was created, he was unable to see the impact and distraction of the physical environment on his most beloved natural space. I believe that when he saw Hetch Hetchy underwater and his entire ecosystem alternating, he would have been very angry at humans.