Gifford Pinchot

Natural History American 1865 – 1946 101 quotes

First chief of US Forest Service who advocated conservation, stating that conservation means the greatest good for the greatest number.

Quotes by Gifford Pinchot

The object of our forest policy is not to preserve the forests from use, but to preserve them by use.

Speech to Society of American Foresters 1903

Conservation is the foresighted utilization, preservation and/or renewal of forests, waters, lands, and minerals for the greatest good of the greatest number for the longest time.

The Fight for Conservation 1910

The vast possibilities of our great future will become realities only if we make ourselves responsible for that future.

The Fight for Conservation 1910

The earth belongs to the living.

The Fight for Conservation 1910

Unless we use the resources of this country, it will go to waste.

Speech 1907

The conservation of natural resources is the fundamental problem. Unless we solve that problem, it will avail us little to solve all others.

Speech to the Conference of Governors 1908

The greatest good for the greatest number for the longest time.

Statement of Forest Service policy 1905

Forestry is the art of producing from the forest whatever it can yield for the service of man.

Primer of Forestry 1898

The conservation movement is a development of the new idea of the relation of man to the earth.

The Fight for Conservation 1910

The first great fact about conservation is that it stands for development.

The Fight for Conservation 1910

The second great fact about conservation is that it stands for the prevention of waste.

The Fight for Conservation 1910

The third great fact about conservation is that it stands for the development of the country for the benefit of the many, and not for the special privilege of the few.

The Fight for Conservation 1910

The conservation of natural resources is the key to the future.

Speech 1908

The nation that destroys its soil destroys itself.

The Fight for Conservation 1910

The earth and its resources belong to the people.

The Fight for Conservation 1910

The conservation movement is a movement for the benefit of all the people.

The Fight for Conservation 1910

The forest is a peculiar organism of unlimited kindness and benevolence that makes no demands for its sustenance and extends generously the products of its life activity; it affords protection to all beings, offering shade even to the axe-man who destroys it.

Breaking New Ground 1947

The conservation of natural resources is the most important public question now before the people of the United States.

Speech to the Conference of Governors 1908

The conservation policy is a policy of common sense.

The Fight for Conservation 1910

The fundamental idea of conservation is that of development, the use of the natural resources for the benefit of the people who live on the land.

The Fight for Conservation 1910