Final answer:
The author organizes the passage chronologically, detailing the historical progression of events and legislation that led to the establishment and development of the national park system in the United States.
Step-by-step explanation:
The best description of how the author orders ideas in the passage is seen in the historical progression of events relating to the establishment of the national park system. Starting with early artists and writers inspiring national pride through their depiction of the Western wilderness, the author moves on to describe significant legislative events in a chronological manner, such as the Yosemite Grant Act of 1864 and the Yellowstone National Park Protection Act of 1872, concluding with the establishment of a system of national parks.
In these narratives, the author lists ideas first to last in a chronological order, which correlates with option D. This chronological approach elucidates the development of the national park system and the conservationist philosophy over time, making it clear for readers to understand the historical context and evolution of policies regarding national parks. Thus, the passage demonstrates the organization of ideas in a sequential and historical manner rather than by importance or random arrangement.