He was a major force in the creation of the Clean Water Act (1972) and Endangered Species Act (1973), and led efforts to preserve wildlife and open spaces in the US, especially in Florida. He was one of the few Republicans active in the environmental movement, and served as assistant Interior secretary under presidents Nixon and Ford. He worked for the banning of DDT, the preservation of California redwood forests, and the protection of bald and golden eagles. He abhorred what he called "the whole shady business of trafficking in captured wild animals in the guise of providing 'pets.' ".
