Our Public Lands
A podcast about our beloved and treasured public lands where I interview subject matter experts and activists from across the country who are working to protect and advocate for our public lands and their wildlife, wilderness, and cultural values.
Our Public Lands
#22 - The Legacy of Public Lands w/ Char Miller
In this episode, I interview Char Miller, a historian and professor with a focus on public lands, agencies, and land management. Char discusses the complexities of Gifford Pinchot's philosophy, contrasting it with that of John Muir, particularly around the conservation versus preservation debate. He offers insights into the historical development of public lands in the United States, the interconnection between local and federal influences, and the challenges posed by the current political climate under the Trump administration. The episode concludes with a reflective discussion on the significance of public lands for American identity and the need for collective efforts to protect and manage these cherished landscapes.
https://osupress.oregonstate.edu/author/char-miller
00:08 Discovering a Passion for History
01:19 Gifford Pinchot's Influence
02:37 Writing and Researching Pinchot
03:51 Pinchot's Post-Forest Service Career
06:58 Pinchot vs. Muir: A Complex Relationship
10:49 The Conservation vs. Preservation Debate
14:26 Personal Correspondence and Relationship Dynamics
18:19 Modern Implications and Reflections
24:19 Public Lands and Local vs. National Interests
28:59 Environmental Issues in Politics
33:04 Origins of American Public Lands
34:08 Roosevelt's Impact on Public Lands
36:27 Eastern vs. Western Public Lands
37:33 The National Parks System
39:45 The Wilderness Act and Environmentalism
44:45 Current Threats to Public Lands
46:21 Logging and Economic Realities
59:39 The Importance of Local Engagement