There has been a fundamental misconception that conservation means nothing but the husbanding of resources for future generations.

There could be no more serious mistake.

Conservation does mean provision for the future, but it means also and first of all the recognition of the right of the present generation to the fullest necessary use of all the resources with which this country is so abundantly blessed.

Conservation demands the welfare of this generation first, and afterward the welfare of the generations to follow.
The first principle of conservation is development, the use of the natural resources now existing on this continent for the benefit of the people who live here now.

There may be just as much waste in neglecting the development and use of certain natural resources as there is in their destruction.