First efforts: Hot Springs, Arkansas and Yosemite Valley thumb|Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, California, United States The first effort by the U.S. Federal government to set aside such protected lands was on 20 April 1832, when President Andrew Jackson signed legislation that the 22nd United States Congress had enacted to set aside four sections of land around what is now Hot Springs, Arkansas, to protect the natural, thermal springs and adjoining mountainsides for the future disposal of the U.S. government. It was known as Hot Springs Reservation, but no legal authority was established. Federal control of the area was not clearly established until 1877. The work of important leaders who fought for animal and land conservation were essential in the development of legal action. Some of these leaders include President Abraham Lincoln, Laurance Rockefeller, President Theodore Roosevelt, John Muir, and First Lady Lady Bird Johnson to name a few.
First efforts Hot Springs Arkansas and Yosemite Valley thumb|Yosemite Valley Yosemite National Park California United States The first effort by the US Federal government to set aside such protected lands was on 20 April 1832 when President Andrew Jackson signed legislation that the 22nd United States Congress had enacted to set aside four sections of land around what is now Hot Springs Arkansas to protect the natural thermal springs and adjoining mountainsides for the future disposal of the US government It was known as Hot Springs Reservation but no legal authority was established Federal control of the area was not clearly established until 1877 The work of important leaders who fought for animal and land conservation were essential in the development of legal action Some of these leaders include President Abraham Lincoln Laurance Rockefeller President Theodore Roosevelt John Muir and First Lady Lady Bird Johnson to name a few