Conservation and Preservation When examining both the Conservation and Preservation sides of the subsequent Progressive Reform Movement, two important 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 U.S. forests. He became famous thanks to the conservative movement, which focused on the idea that nature should serve humanity. On the other hand, Muir was one of the biggest advocates of preserving nature as it is and not being able to use it for the benefit of humans. He was the founder of the Sierra Club and the biggest advocate for the creation of federally controlled wilderness areas and some national parks. Muir was a conservationist, meaning he protected nature for nature's sake and not to serve humans. This was the collision between the two ideas of Conservation and Preservation, the first was to protect nature to better serve human beings, and the second was to preserve nature just to have nature as it is. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The breaking point between the two ideologies occurred during the 1920s, with the Hetch Hetchy Incident. The accident occurred due to San Francisco's need to build a dam on the Tuolomme River to provide a reservoir for the city. Pinchot and the Conservationists supported the idea that the dam should be built because it was necessary for human needs, and according to their ideology nature exists and we must take care of it to serve human beings. When it comes to the dilemma between saving nature and serving humans, Pinchot was all for the human perspective. Muir and conservationists, on the other hand, argued that the dam should not be created because it would disturb and alter the area's environment and ecosystem. Once again the ideology of the preservationists was that nature should not be disturbed and alternated, but rather preserved as it is and remained pure and undisturbed. What followed was a political and environmental battle between the two to alternate or preserve Hetch Hetchy. John Muir, being the founder of the Sierra Club, gave a great fight to prevent the destruction of another natural environment. The final decision was made by Muirs opponent Pinchot who advocated damming the river for humans in a 1923 congressional resolution that approved damming the river. To answer the question of what Pinchot and Muir's reactions would have been after seeing the film Discovering Hetch Hetchy, I believe they would have been very blinded and difficult to focus on the meaning and two-sided perspective of the story. If Pinchot had seen this film, I believe his reaction would have been very positive and he would have felt accomplished in his actions. Since his ideology is to take care of nature, but focus on human benefit, he would have been very excited to see that his plan worked and still benefited humanity today, which is what really matters in preserving nature. Now, if Muir had watched the film he would have been very disappointed and would have had a sense of human failure towards nature. Because he died shortly after the dam was built, he failed to see the consequences 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 both with humans but above all with the American government and its politics. It would be.