Final answer:
Preservationists, like John Muir, sought to protect nature for its inherent value, resulting in large preservationist nature parks. Conservationists, such as Gifford Pinchot, promoted sustainable use of natural resources, leading to legislation like the Multiple Use Sustained Yield Act of 1960.
Step-by-step explanation:
Both preservationists and conservationists played pivotal roles in the establishment of national parks and the protection of natural resources, but their ideologies on how to manage these resources differed significantly. Preservationists, such as John Muir, were influenced by transcendentalist philosophy and advocated for the protection of nature for its own intrinsic value.
In contrast, conservationists, led by figures like Gifford Pinchot, adopted a utilitarian approach. They sought the scientifically informed management of natural resources so they could be used sustainably over time, allowing human activities like logging under controlled circumstances to provide resources for society's needs while also ensuring long-term availability.