The National Parks: America's Best Idea (2009)

Episode Overview

As the 19th century draws to a close, the rapid industrialization of America raises concerns about the future of its natural landscapes. Many citizens fear that the once untouched wilderness is vanishing. Poaching is rampant in national parks, and visitors carelessly litter and deface landmarks like Old Faithful. Congress has yet to provide the necessary legal framework or funding to safeguard these treasured areas. This situation ignites a conservation movement, spearheaded by figures like John Muir of the Sierra Club, George Bird Grinnell of the Audubon Society, and Theodore Roosevelt from the Boone and Crockett Club. However, despite their efforts, the construction of the Hetch Hetchy dam in Yosemite proceeds, tragically flooding Muir's beloved "mountain temple" and leaving him heartbroken before his passing.