Encounters With the Archdruid: Narratives About a Conservationist and Three of His Natural Enemies

The conservation movement in the United States is rooted in the country’s evolving relationship with its natural landscapes. Beginning in the late 19th century, the conservation movement emerged as a response to industrialization and westward expansion that threatened America’s wilderness areas. Pioneering figures like John Muir, the founder of the Sierra Club in 1892, advocated for the preservation of natural landscapes for their intrinsic value, spiritual benefits, and ecological significance. This early phase of the movement focused on the establishment of national parks and the protection of wilderness areas from exploitation.

The Progressive Era, from the 1890s to the 1920s, was a time of intense social activism, during which significant conservation initiatives were undertaken. President Theodore Roosevelt, influenced by prominent conservationists of the time, helped the movement by naming multiple national parks, protecting forests, and establishing wildlife sanctuaries. The creation of the National Park Service in 1916 institutionalized the preservation of America’s natural heritage. However, during this period, the utilitarian side of conservation also became stronger, promoted by figures like Gifford Pinchot, the first Chief of the United States Forest Service, who believed in the sustainable use of natural resources for the greatest good.

After World War II, conservationists responded with renewed urgency to economic and technological development. The 1960s and 1970s marked a pivotal era for environmental awareness and activism, driven by growing public concern over pollution, resource depletion, and the loss of natural habitats. This period saw the passage of landmark legislation such as the Wilderness Act of 1964, which aimed to protect designated wilderness areas from human encroachment.

David Brower, one of the most influential conservationists of the 20th century, played a critical role in the conservation movement. Brower was the Executive Director of the Sierra Club from 1952 to 1969, transforming the organization into a powerful advocacy group, increasing its membership and influence significantly. Under his leadership, the Sierra Club successfully campaigned against the construction of dams in national parks and wilderness areas, including the controversial Echo Park Dam in Dinosaur National Monument.

John McPhee’s Encounters with the Archdruid, which came out in 1971, portrays the ideological battles within the conservation movement, focusing on Brower’s encounters with proponents of resource development. The book is structured around three extended conversations between Brower and individuals who represent different perspectives on the use of natural resources: Charles Park, a geologist and mineral engineer; Charles Fraser, a resort developer; and Floyd Dominy, the Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation known for his role in constructing large dams. Many of these discussions inform and resonate with 21st century environmental concerns, such as the use of finite resources, the loss of habitat for species, the increased threat of pollution, and the destruction of wildlife by exploitation. More recently added to these concerns, however, is the threat of global warming. Brower’s concerns with sustainability and planning for the future may have become commonplace, but many contemporary activists recognize the need for leading inspirational figures, such as Brower.