Is there any place in the United States more astounding than a national park? Do you have fond memories of hikes, walks or camping trips with friends or family on public lands? Conservationism is to thank for these well-preserved, epic sites across the country. Conservationism is a rare "ism" because it has very broad support–across parties, regions, generations. What many don't know is that the roots of conservationism reflect the racial, economic, and nationalist ideologies that abounded in the early-20th century United States. We'll discuss the questionable activities of Smokey the Bear, why "Yosemite" actually means "invader," and how to reconcile our feelings about public lands with knowledge about their conflicting origins.