Wise Use

Wise use is the responsible utilization of natural resources. This movement is made up of a coalition of groups to promote property rights, and the use of public lands for commercial and public interests (Scheller 1).  Wise use supporters would characterize humans as the “steward” for the land, water, and air (Pinchot 73). Pinchot claimed that “the first duty of the human race is to control the earth it lives upon” (Pinchot 77). They would argue that the natural world is meant for the use and betterment of man.  These environmental groups believe that if a river flows freely unchanged or utilized by man it is a waste of potential resources. That river could be dammed and the water could be piped to a city while the dam produces inexpensive power. Wise use is often considered a middle ground between clear cutters and conservationists (Scheller 1).  “There may be just as much waste in neglecting the development and use of certain natural resources as there is in their destruction”(Pinchot 77). Wise use supporters believed that a forest fire is a waste of natural resources. This movement would prefer for man to take those resources and utilize them for development rather than let a natural event like fire, “waste” those resources (Pinchot 73-79).  Pinchot motto was “[wise use] means the greatest good to the greatest number for the longest time” (Pinchot 78). Meaning wise use allows for provision for a large number of people now and for more people in the future because it is more sustainable and practical than other forms of environmentalism (Schneller 1).