Lincoln’s Environmental Legacy
Most people know Lincoln as the “Great Emancipator,” but few
understand the 16th president’s tremendous influence on the nation’s
environment. Lincoln’s settlement policies revealed his commitment
to the “free soil” ideology and resulted in the biggest transference of
public land to private hands in American history. In this presentation
, Dr. Brady examines the environmental history of Lincoln’s administration
, ranging from issues surrounding the Homestead Act of
1862 to the ramifications of the Civil War and the end of slavery.

“Don’t Fence Me In!”
Fences come in many styles and sizes. Some are physical barriers
that denote property boundaries, while others are social obstacles
that can prevent clear communication and cooperation. In this
presentation, Dr. Brady explores the various types of fences Americans
have built, both physically and metaphorically, throughout the
nation’s history, with special attention to the political, social, and
environmental consequences such constructs have had.