On This Day in 1838: Naturalist & Author John Muir Was Born

April 21, 1838: On this day, John Muir was born in Dunbar, Scotland. This naturalist, explorer, conservationist and author, for whom the 550-acre Muir Woods National Monument was named, emigrated to the US from Scotland in 1849.

His activism helped to save the Yosemite Valley, Sequoia National Park and other wilderness areas. He founded the Sierra Club, which is the oldest and largest grassroots environmental organization in the United States.

To this day, his writings are influential and commonly discussed in books, journals, and environmental circles. His prose is often quoted in books by nature photographer, Ansel Adams.

Muir died in Los Angeles, California on December 24, 1914.

Below is a segment from the Ken Burns documentary "The National Parks: America's Best Idea." If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend watching it. Incredible history and beautifully edited.

May 28th: On This Day in 1892 - Sierra Club is Founded

John MuirMay 28, 1892: The oldest and largest grassroots environmental organization, The Sierra Club, was founded on this day in San Francisco, California, by preservationist, John Muir.

The Mission of The Sierra Club: "To explore, enjoy, and protect the wild places of the earth; To practice and promote the responsible use of the earth's ecosystems and resources; To educate and enlist humanity to protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environment; and to use all lawful means to carry out these objectives."