"[The public lands represent] in a sense, the breathing space of the nation."
- Richard M. Nixon, environmental message, 8 February 1971
"The Yosemite, the Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon are national properties in which every citizen has a vested interest; they belong as much to the man of Massachusetts, of Michigan, of Florida, as they do to the people of California, of Wyoming, of Arizona."
- Stephen Mather, first Director, National Park Service (1917-1929)
