John Lacey
Champion for Birds and Wildlife

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Before Silent Spring...

There was Major John F. Lacey!

At this website you can learn about this unsung hero -- the first strong Congressional voice for conservation in America. A century ago, he led the passage of legislation that still protects wilderness areas, wildlife, and migratory birds today! The lasting success of this "Iowa boy" in environmental policy should inspire us common folk to speak out for conservation today, too.

• Overview
• Original and most effective conservationist in Congress
  Lacy Bird Act of 1900
  Lacy's Land Acts
• Lacey, the man
• Writings and quotes
• Other conservationists of 1880-1910
• Lacey Links: congressional biography
                         Lacey-Keosauqua State Park
                         address to Iowa General Assembly
                         The Antiquities Act
  State Declares John Lacey Day
  

"The great cause--the protection of the forests, game, and the preservation of antiquities--had little interest to the average citizen of Iowa, but to the nation as a whole, in particular to generations yet to come, it will mean much. Today, we have him to thank for many of our scenic national parks and monuments, the vast national forest system, and the priceless federal wildlife refuges. We can see the results of his conservation efforts from coast to coast."
- Louis Pammel, the father of Iowa's state park program

Thanks to Greg Beisker and Jay Olson, who gathered and wrote most of the information contained on this website.

For more information, e-mail Cathy Engstrom, director of communications, or call (515) 288-1846.