A Surprising Start with Stones
In 1871, geologist Ferdinand Hayden led an expedition to the American West, bringing back specimens like hyalo-liparite obsidian and geyserite. These volcanic rocks helped show Congress the scientific importance of the Yellowstone region.
Convincing Congress Through Science
Survey reports noted the land’s unsuitability for farming, mining, or settlement. Combined with paintings by artists like Thomas Moran, these findings helped persuade Congress to create Yellowstone National Park in 1872.
A Wake-Up Call in the Wild
Later expeditions revealed alarming losses in wildlife. William Temple Hornaday, sent to collect bison, found only piles of skulls. Shocked, he began efforts to protect the species, later founding the National Zoo in Washington, D.C.
Planting the Seeds of Preservation
The National Park Service wasn’t officially formed until 1916, but early expeditions planted the idea that America’s natural landscapes had worth beyond exploitation. Facing opposition from settlers and churches, the growing fear of extinction helped shift public sentiment toward conservation.
In 1871, geologist Ferdinand Hayden led an expedition into the American West, bringing back volcanic rocks like hyalo-liparite obsidian and geyserite.
These strange stones and scientific surveys helped convince Congress to create Yellowstone, America's first national… pic.twitter.com/zupH2zLsoz
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