Final answer:
President Theodore Roosevelt's Square Deal reflected his belief in the federal government's role as the protector of the public’s environmental interests. Through legislation like the Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act, and the creation of the U.S. Forest Service, Roosevelt made significant strides in conserving natural resources and establishing a precedent for federal conservation efforts.
Step-by-step explanation:
The philosophy behind President Theodore Roosevelt's Square Deal, especially in relation to environmental conservation, reflects his belief in active federal government intervention to protect public interests. Roosevelt saw the federal government as a steward of the American environment, and demonstrated this through his policies that sought to regulate corporate exploitation of natural resources, institute consumer protections, and prioritize the conservation of America's natural beauty and resources for future generations. His administration's achievements included the establishment of the U.S. Forest Service, expansion of national forests, and the creation of federal wildlife sanctuaries and national parks.
Conservation was one of the three C's of his Square Deal, alongside control over corporations and consumer protection, with notable legislations such as the Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act. These acts served to not only preserve public health but also to maintain the integrity of natural resources. His friendship and collaboration with Gifford Pinchot, the first chief of the U.S. Forestry Service, also underscore the importance Roosevelt placed on protecting public land from development and ensuring its regulated use for posterity. Under this collaborative effort, a significant amount of public land was preserved and managed scientifically.