Abstract
Man's interaction with his environment during the
last hundred years has seen the rapid deterioration of
our lakes, streams, air, and wildlife. More species of
animal have become extinct during that brief period
of time than in the preceed ing five thousand years of
recorded history. Once plentiful herds of buffalo were
reduced to a few hundred by the turn of the century.
The Dodo was clubbed into oblivion on some far-off
island, while the last surviving Passenger Pigeon, formerly
so numerous it could darken the sky, became a
mere footnote to the history of progress.