The Conservation of Natural Resources in the United States

Van Hise, Charles

By natural resources are meant those resources provided by nature which may be used for the benefit of man. The natural resources from the point of view of conservation may be divided into two classes: those so abundant as to be practically unlimited in quantity, and those less abundant which are so limited in amount as to be unequal to the present or future needs of man. The first class requires no special consideration. These lectures will therefore be confined to the second class, and to the natural resources of the United States. The natural resources limited in quantity should be conserved. By their conservation is meant that they should remain as nearly undiminished as possible in order that this heritage of natural wealth may pass in full measure to succeeding generations. The full accomplishment of conservation of our limited natural resources is not possible. With reference to waters it may be. Ever the sun draws the water from the ocean; the currents of air carry it over the land; it falls upon the earth; and so the streams flow down to the sea perpetually. It may be that our forests can be so handled that in the future the annual growth shall equal the annual consumption. In that case forests may be perpetuated. The situation is not so clear with reference to soils and minerals.