Founding the American Commons
A Documentary History of the People and Ideas that Shaped Public Lands and Wildlife Protection Policy
About the Book
As the United States expanded during the nineteenth century and beyond, explorers, elected officials, conservationists, scientists, community leaders, and ordinary citizens advocated for protecting places of exceptional natural, cultural, and historic significance. Their collective efforts established what we now recognize as the American Commons—a remarkable system of shared lands, waters, wildlife habitats, forests, parks, and historic places held in trust for future generations.
Founding the American Commons traces this history through carefully selected primary source documents that allow readers to hear directly from the individuals whose ideas and actions shaped America's conservation movement and public trust doctrine. The collection includes writings from influential figures such as John Muir, Theodore Roosevelt, Rachel Carson, Chief Joseph, and many others while also highlighting the contributions, sacrifices, and enduring legacies of women, Indigenous peoples, African Americans, and other Americans whose stories helped shape the American Commons. More than a collection of historical documents, Founding the American Commons explores the enduring principles of stewardship, democratic responsibility, and civic engagement that continue to guide decisions about our nation's shared natural and cultural resources.
Meet the Authors
BRETT A. WRIGHT
BRENDA P. WIGGINS
DAVID K. WIGGINS
Brett A. Wright, Ph.D., is Professor and Dean Emeritus in Clemson University's College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences and former chairman of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management. Throughout his distinguished career, he has focused on applying behavioral science to the management of parks, recreation resour
Brett A. Wright, Ph.D., is Professor and Dean Emeritus in Clemson University's College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences and former chairman of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management. Throughout his distinguished career, he has focused on applying behavioral science to the management of parks, recreation resources, and conservation policy.
His research has supported the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, state wildlife agencies, and numerous local park and recreation organizations. Internationally, he has worked with conservation initiatives throughout Africa and Asia through sustainable community development. From 2017 to 2024, he founded and led Tigers United University Consortium, a four-university partnership supporting the Global Tiger Recovery Program. Upon his formal retirement in 2024, he was appointed Senior Advisor to the Director-General of the International Big Cats Alliance.
Founding the American Commons reflects Dr. Wright's longstanding commitment to understanding the relationship between people, public lands, conservation, and the democratic ideals that have shaped America's shared natural and cultural heritage.
DAVID K. WIGGINS
BRENDA P. WIGGINS
DAVID K. WIGGINS
David K. Wiggins is professor emeritus of sport studies at George Mason University. Primarily interested in the history of the African American athlete, Dr. Wiggins has published many scholarly articles and book chapters and edited or authored 21 books. His three most recent books are More than a Game: A History of the African American Ex
David K. Wiggins is professor emeritus of sport studies at George Mason University. Primarily interested in the history of the African American athlete, Dr. Wiggins has published many scholarly articles and book chapters and edited or authored 21 books. His three most recent books are More than a Game: A History of the African American Experience in Sport (2018), Black Mercuries: African American Athletes, Race, and the Modern Olympic Games (2023), and Ball in my Hands: Essays on Black Athletes, Race, and American Culture (2025). He is a five-time recipient of the Outstanding Article of the Year Award in the Journal of Sport History, three-time recipient of the Research Writing Award in the Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, and one-time recipient of the Outstanding Article of the Year Award in The International Journal of the History of Sport. Dr. Wiggins has served as a consultant with the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, served as an editorial board member of several prominent scholarly journals, and served as editor of the Journal of Sport History, Quest, and Kinesiology Review. He is also an Active Fellow in the National Academy of Kinesiology and Past-President of the North American Society for Sport History.
BRENDA P. WIGGINS
BRENDA P. WIGGINS
BRENDA P. WIGGINS
Brenda P. Wiggins is an Academic Program Coordinator and Internship Coordinator for Recreation Management at George Mason University. She holds an A.B. in Recreation Administration with a minor in English from San Diego State University, a M.A. in Therapeutic Recreation with an emphasis in Gerontology from the University of Maryland, and
Brenda P. Wiggins is an Academic Program Coordinator and Internship Coordinator for Recreation Management at George Mason University. She holds an A.B. in Recreation Administration with a minor in English from San Diego State University, a M.A. in Therapeutic Recreation with an emphasis in Gerontology from the University of Maryland, and a Ph.D. in Leisure Studies with an emphasis in Tourism from the University of Oregon. She taught recreation and physical education courses at Kansas State University and the University of Oregon before arriving at George Mason. Dr. Wiggins has chaired or served on committees for 56 master’s and doctoral students and contributed to the field through book chapters, encyclopedia entries, scholarly presentations, and served as a book and journal reviewer. Her work has appeared in Tourism Management, Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, and Tourism in Marine Environments. Her writing and presentations include Application of the International Classification of Functioning for Disability and Health; the Esport phenomenon; American Women's Participation in Sport and Tourism; Interpretative Analysis of Constraints and Negotiations among People with Disabilities; and many others.
SPEAKING OPPORTUNITIES
Connect with the Authors
Thank you for your interest in Founding the American Commons.
Whether you are interested in inviting one or more of the authors to speak, scheduling a media interview, discussing classroom adoption, or learning more about the book, we welcome your inquiry.
The authors are available to speak with:
- Universities and colleges
- Museums and historical societies
- Conservation and environmental organizations
- Libraries
- Civic and community organizations
- Professional conferences
- Media outlets and podcasts
Presentation topics may include:
- The American Commons and “landscape democracy”
- Conservation history in the United States
- Public lands, forests, parks, and historic places
- Public lands and wildlife as a public trust
- Using primary source documents to understand American history