Final answer:
The Maricopa Slate in Yosemite Park is an example of a/an shifting attitudes towards nature during the mid-19th century, which led to the establishment of the national park system in the United States, beginning with the Yosemite Grant Act.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Maricopa Slate in Yosemite Park is an example of an area that has experienced a significant change in religious-spiritual attitudes toward nature, particularly during the mid-19th century. The recognition of the intrinsic value and beauty of landscapes like Yosemite resulted in strong conservation movements, culminating in actions such as the signing of the Yosemite Grant Act by President Lincoln in 1864.
This act laid the groundwork for the establishment of national parks, ensuring the protection and preservation of natural areas for public use and enjoyment, and setting a precedent for future conservation efforts.
Subsequent legislation, such as the Yellowstone National Park Protection Act signed by President Grant in 1872, continued this trend of preserving vast natural landscapes for the benefit of the public. These actions signified a foundational shift in policy from transferring public lands to private ownership to preserving them for ecological conservation and public enjoyment.