The story of conservation in America is not told by one person. It is built over generations by people who saw something precious at risk and chose to act. They became legends because they found practical ways to protect it for the future.

This Natioinal Hunting and Fishing Day we are celebrating Teddy Roosevelt, Jay N. Darling, etc. for their dedication and actions. From bringing conservation to the national stage to documenting the way a small piece of land changes over a decade, they each used their gifts to influence.

Their stories leave us with a question: what will we do with the wild places and wildlife entrusted to us? You do not have to write a landmark book, shape national policy, or found an organization to become part of that legacy. You become a legend of conservation each time you notice the natural world and choose to care for it. Legends are not only found in history. They are made in the choices we make today. Learn about, care for, participate in, and protect the natural world for those who will wonder at it next.