Who is often credited as having done the most for wildlife conservation in U.S. history?

President Theodore Roosevelt is widely recognized for his significant contributions to wildlife conservation in the United States. He was instrumental in establishing numerous national parks, forests, and wildlife refuges, which laid the groundwork for the modern conservation movement. His administration created five national parks, 18 national monuments, and 150 national forests, protecting approximately 230 million acres of public land.

Roosevelt's forward-thinking policies included establishing the U.S. Forest Service and the Antiquities Act, which empowered the president to designate national monuments. His efforts not only safeguarded habitats for countless species but also emphasized the importance of responsible land management and the ethical duty of humans to protect natural resources. This legacy has had a lasting impact on conservation efforts and is a major reason he is credited as a pivotal figure in the history of wildlife conservation in the U.S.