Who's the greenest President of them all?

If my math is correct, Monday will mark the 146th celebration of the holiday that was to put in place to celebrate George Washington's birthday. As such, it fell annually on Feb. 22. In 1970, Congress passed one of the most far-reaching pieces of legislation – the Government Employees Long Weekend Act (descriptive title … it actually goes by the official and "oh-so-boring" name of Uniform Monday Holiday Act). Henceforth, the 3rd Monday of February became the official and permanent home of renamed Presidents Day. This reformulated holiday now allows so many of us to sleep in while dreaming of all the great things our presidents have done. And, since this is a nature column, I got to thinking, "Who was the greenest president of all?" Instead of leading you on, I will reveal the answer up front. The Bushes! (Please take a moment to fully absorb the amazing level of humor here.) (Oh, and it ain't the Bushes!) So, who do you think it is? If you think it had to have been Theodore Roosevelt, well you are not wrong. You may not be fully right, however. Teddy Roosevelt was well-known as an outdoorsman. He not only stated, "bully bully," he also hunted all sorts of bully bullies, like elk. He also had a softer side, as revealed in the iconic photograph of him and John Muir positioned high above Yosemite Valley. Roosevelt took great advantage of Executive Orders during his presidency and created 50 bird refuges. Through the power of the Antiquities Act, he also created 18 national monuments and 5 national parks. Further, he created the U.S. Forest Service and set aside 150 million acres of woodland. Now, that's a pretty green president. Who could top Teddy Roosevelt? Well, that comes last. But first, here are a few other green presidents of note. Keeping it in the family, Franklin Delano Roosevelt created the Civilian Conservation Corps. This Depression-era work force cut trails and built bridges and buildings in our national parks. Employing over a million workers, this unit's work created iconic and long-lasting, structures that still welcome visitors today. In essence, they not only built structure, they built style. Abraham Lincoln created the U.S. Department of Agriculture. With sustainability and conservation within its mission, it was well ahead of its time. Honest Abe also created the Yosemite Grant, a move that paved the way for the protection of this magnificent national park. Thomas Jefferson was the earliest of the green presidents. While he identified, and lent his support to, many environmental issues, his assignment of the Louis and Clark Expedition was landmark. This venture provided the basis of our understanding of western wildlife and wilderness and native American cultures. At the time, this project was probably as complicated, and challenging, as sending Apollo astronauts to the moon. Woodrow Wilson needs to be on this list because, well, because his nickname was probably Woody! Or, he may deserve a place at the table because he signed into existence the National Park Service -- a singular, but immeasurable, deed. LBJ added the Wilderness Act and the Land & Water Conservation Act. Perhaps, however, he should be on the list for being the spouse of Lady Bird Johnson. Despite, or because of, her name, she would likely win the title of greenest first lady. Jimmy Carter was a peanut farmer, and there has to be some credit for that. But seriously, he created the U.S. Department of Energy, the Soil & Water Conservation Act and the Endangered American Wilderness Act. Although a bit outside of the criteria, he did add solar panels to the White House. Unfortunately, with the technology of the day, they probably only powered a nightlight in the staff restroom. A few years after Carter's single term, succeeding President Ronald Reagan had them removed. Two decades later, Barack Obama put up new ones. Speaking of Obama, he created the Clean Power Plan which is seen as the catalyst to the Paris Accord that so many countries use as an environmental yardstick, and promise. He also took great advantage of the Antiquities Act and created 20 national monuments. So, are you ready for the winner? Let me lead into it slowly. This president's resume may only contain five environmental line items, but each one was bigger, and more transformative, than the one before. (For dramatic effect, I am giving them to you in, well, dramatic order.) This greenest president allowed us all to breathe a sigh of relief when he signed into existence the Clean Air Act. "Let's drink to that!" said everyone, especially since he also signed the Clean Water Act. Next came the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and whales, manatees and dolphins jumped for joy, except, of course, for the manatees who can't jump a lick. Next on the docket was one of the biggest environmental pieces of legislation ever. He signed into existence the Endangered Species Act. (Spoiler hint: At the time of his presidency, bald eagles were heading for extinction's door.) But wait, what could top this? How about the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency? Yep, that's really, really big. The strangest thing about this president is that he is not known for any of this. Oh, he is well known and has carved his name deep into American history but not for any of the right reasons. At this point, you probably have it figured out -- it's Richard Milhous Nixon. Doesn't that kinda blow you away? What's even more surprising is that he also got us out of Vietnam. Sadly, for most people he will only be known was the Watergate president, or the president who resigned in disgrace. Still, the environmental platforms that were created during his presidency positively changed so many things and still provide a voice, with teeth, today. This leaves me with mixed feelings…so, I have decided that this one needs to end with some humor. Back to our original question, who was the greenest president? All of the presidents on our money! (Please don't think too deeply into this. I don't have any more jokes!) Happy Presidents Day!