United States
On March 1, 1872, President Ulysses S. Grant signed a law creating Yellowstone National Park. It is widely regarded as the first national park in the United States and one of the first in the world. The act protected more than two million acres of land in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. This protection preserved geysers, hot springs, wildlife, and unique geological features from commercial exploitation. Yellowstone became a model for later national park efforts in the United States and abroad. The decision also signaled a growing awareness of conservation and public ownership of scenic natural areas.
