LA & OCLB chapters present:
Richard Nixon – Eco-Warrior?
You know about Watergate but did you know that Richard Nixon was one of the most consequential presidents on environmental issues? Join the LA and OCLB chapters at the beautiful Nixon Library in Yorba Linda to find out more about the complicated legacy of our 37th president.
Sunday August 17, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
18001 Yorba Linda Boulevard
Yorba Linda, California 92886
Tickets include a 1-hour docent tour and are available through the Great Outdoors. Tickets are $32 for general admission and $28 for seniors 62+
Please use the link below to offer or request carpooling from to the Nixon Library. Whether you're coming from LA, San Diego or Palm Springs, please consider carpooling! Save gas and the environment!
Link to arrange carpooling
Here's why the Great Outdoors is visiting the Nixon Library:
Richard Nixon and the Environment
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Established the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Created in 1970, the EPA consolidated federal research, monitoring, and enforcement activities related to environmental protection into a single agency.
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Signed the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA): Signed into law in 1970, NEPA requires federal agencies to consider the environmental impact of their actions and decisions.
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Signed the Clean Air Act of 1970: This act authorized the development of comprehensive federal and state regulations to limit emissions from both stationary and mobile sources, establishing the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).
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Signed the Endangered Species Act: This 1973 law protects threatened and endangered species and their habitats, including procedures for listing species, developing recovery plans, and prohibiting actions that would harm listed species.
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Signed the Marine Mammal Protection Act: This 1972 act provided protection for marine mammals and their habitats.
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Created the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): NOAA is responsible for monitoring and understanding the Earth's oceans and atmosphere.
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Launched the Legacy of Parks program: This initiative converted over 80,000 acres of government property into 642 new parks for public recreational use.
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Proposed various pollution control measures: These included requests for funding for water treatment, national air quality standards, motor vehicle emission regulations, and measures to address oil spills and Great Lakes pollution.
Nixon highlighted the environment in his State of the Union speech, January 1970:
“The great question of the seventies is: shall we surrender to our surroundings, or shall we make our peace with nature and begin to make reparations for the damage we have done to our air, to our land, and to our water? Restoring nature to its natural state is a cause beyond party and beyond factions. It has become a common cause of all the people of this country. It is a cause of particular concern to young Americans, because they more than we will reap the grim consequences of our failure to act on programs which are needed now if we are to prevent disaster later. Clean air, clean water, open spaces—these should once again be the birthright of every American. If we act now, they can be.”
While Nixon's commitment to environmental protection waned during his presidency, particularly in the later years due to economic concerns and political pressures, his administration's environmental record is significant. These initiatives laid the groundwork for many of the environmental policies in place today.
When considering Nixon’s policies and proposals on the environment, Women’s Rights, national healthcare, opening trade with Russia and China, expansion of civil rights, the case could be made that he was to the left of Nancy Pelosi. The library, of course, highlights the accomplishments of President Nixon but does not shy away from the failures and scandals. You can listen to any of the recordings in the oval office in which Nixon often used crude language.
Optional lunch afterwards at:
Mimi's Cafe, 18342 Imperial Hwy. Yorba Linda CA 92886
Some of us, traveling a distance, might be staying at https://www.ayreshotels.com/ in Yorba Linda on the Saturday night before our visit.
Parking at the Library is free!
If you have any questions about this event, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Trip Leaders.
LA: Russell Hammerl
Email: [email protected]
OCLB: Richard Norman
Email: [email protected]
626-319-4740
