John Muir loved nature. He loved it so much that in 1867 he walked a thousand miles from Indiana to Florida (30) ______ the age of 29 just to see what plants and animals he could (31) ______ along the way. While he walked, he recorded everything he saw in his journal of notes.

Next, Muir journeyed to California. He spent six years exploring the Yosemite Valley. He also traveled to Alaska, Utah, and Nevada. Again, Muir (32) ______ a journal to record the flora and fauna of each region. During his travels, Muir saw how farms and ranches damaged forests. He wanted to protect American forests from destruction as Americans moved west.

Muir had been writing in journals for most of his life. He decided to use words to show Americans how important it was to preserve the natural beauty of their country. He began to write about nature in magazines and newspapers. He (33) ______ that the government should work to protect the wilderness from destruction.

In 1980, the government created Yosemite National Park to protect the land. In 1892, Muir (34) ______ the Sierra Club to continue fighting for the conservation of American forests. By 1903, Muir’s calls to protect the American wilderness (35) ______ the attention of President Theodore Roosevelt. With the president’s support, Muir helped create Grand Canyon, Mount Rainier, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon National Parks. We can (36) ______ visit these sites of natural beauty and geologic significance today.