GIFFORD PINCHOT

Gifford Pinchot was the first Chief of the U.S. Forest Service when it was created in 1905.  He was concerned that the United States might run out of timber if forests were not managed properly.   In the first eight years, the acreage of National Forests went from 62 million acres to 190 million acres, including lands that were to become part of today's Hiawatha and Huron-Manistee National Forests.  One of Pinchot's most famous quotes was "The greatest good for the greatest number of people in the long run." 

Pinchot was friends with Teddy Roosevelt and John Muir.  Muir's philosophy was more towards preservation and Pinchot's was more about management.  The difference of ideas between these men was the beginning of the controversy between "resource managers" and "environmentalists" that exists today. 

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This site created and maintained by Bill Cook, MSU Extension Forester for the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.   Editing and modification is ongoing.  Submit suggestions, questions, and corrections to cookwi@msu.edu or call 906-786-1575.