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John Muir: father of National Parks



John Muir: father of National Parks

April 20, 2019

John Muir is incredibly important to National Parks all over the world but who was he?

Born in Scotland on April 21 1838, he emigrated with his family to Wisconsin in the USA as a young child, going on to study geology and botany. After a brief career of working in industry he turned his gaze back towards the natural world, sketching and chronicling all he saw.

Jonh Muir with President Teddy Roosevelt

He eventually ventured out west to California, immersing himself in the High Sierra, particularly Yosemite Valley. Inspired by the raw natural beauty of Yosemite Valley, John Muir dedicated his life to advocating for the establishment of a government-sponsored National Parks system. 

In 1872, after years of campaigning, Yellowstone National Park was established in Wyoming, becoming the world’s first official National Park.

Several years later, while on a camping trip with President Theodore Roosevelt, he successfully lobbied for Yosemite Valley to be designated as a National Park, conserving the landscape for future generations.

John Muir passed away in his San Francisco home in 1914 but his legacy endures.

Both the Sierra Club, which he helped found and become first president of, and the Scotland-based John Muir Trust, continue to honour his spirit.

We’re proud to partner with the John Muir Trust to deliver the John Muir Award, which encourages people of all backgrounds to discover, explore, enjoy and conserve our natural and wild spaces, as well as sharing that experience with others.

Find out more about the John Muir Award and how you can get involved