The 26th president of the United States Theodore Roosevelt was a man of many interests, especially when it came to conservation and nature. He was by all accounts a lively, enthusiastic personality (just look at that grin!) and participated in a number of activities, including swimming, hiking, and bird-watching. And though he suffered illness as a child, that did not stop him from developing an interest in nature that would impact America for decades to come.

Teddy Roosevelt’s legacy of conservation: The TRCP

Before his presidency and after, T.R. immersed himself with issues concerning land conservation and animal welfare, fighting for them with unmatched passion compared to other presidents. Roosevelt’s legacy inspired ThatHelps’ partner The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, an incredible organization that dedicates themselves to the former president’s legacy. They advocate federal policy and funding solutions by uniting groups and individuals partners to amplify the voices of sportsmen and women. TRCP focuses on protecting natural American habitats and our public lands, including reimplementing parts of the Clean Water Act that have been rolled back.

The enormity of Teddy Roosevelt’s legacy is simply awe-inspiring.

We broke down President Roosevelt’s accomplishments by the numbers to get a clear measure of his legacy of passion and activism that still resonates in America today. The numbers only tell part of the story, though: Americans are still benefiting from his efforts in all kind of non-quantifiable ways.

150: National forests he saved

For over 100 years, forests in 43 states have protected wildlife in the U.S.

51: Federal bird reserves he founded

T.R. had a fascination with birds and thought they should be preserved for their unique beauty. He once said, “And to lose the chance to see frigate-birds soaring in circles above the storm… The loss is like the loss of a gallery of the masterpieces of the artists of old time.”

5: National parks created

Crater Lake, Oregon; Wind Cave, South Dakota; Sullys Hill, North Dakota: just to name a few established by Teddy!

4: National game preserves established

The preserves protect larger-sized wildlife like elk, deer, and bison. They cover a lot of land so the animals have plenty of space to thrive.

18: National monuments built

We owe national monuments like the Grand Canyon to President Roosevelt. Much like national parks, these are government-protected areas where the land cannot be tampered with.

230 million: Acres of land protected

That’s a whopping amount of land. Thanks to TR’s policies, generations of people were able to appreciate and enjoy America’s natural beauty — and more to come, hopefully. It’s not just about preserving nature, but adapting to better protect lands.

Did Teddy Roosevelt ignite a passion for conservation or animal welfare? Download ThatHelps’ app to see what The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership and other causes are doing to continue Roosevelt’s legacy!

Photos: Pexels, History.com