Uploaded October 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Looking back on public land management efforts over the past 100 years helps us better understand today’s environmental challenges. In "Dissenting Conservationist: Elers Koch and His Legacy," Montana State University history professor Dr. Mark Fiege explores the often-overlooked impact of Forest Service conservationist Elers Koch. Koch gained notoriety not only for his forestry and conservation work, but also for his outspoken stand against the Forest Service’s increasing orientation to industrialized forestry and the total suppression and exclusion of fire from public lands.
Looking back on public land management efforts over the past 100 years helps us better understand today’s environmental challenges. In "Dissenting Conservationist: Elers Koch and His Legacy," Montana State University history professor Dr. Mark Fiege explores the often-overlooked impact of Forest Service conservationist Elers Koch. Koch gained notoriety not only for his forestry and conservation work, but also for his outspoken stand against the Forest Service’s increasing orientation to industrialized forestry and the total suppression and exclusion of fire from public lands.
