Reflections on the historical development of natural resource and environmental economics

This essay highlights the academic heritage of natural resource and environmental economics including key contributors and programs. This story is told from the perspective of the author based on reflections going back to his first undergraduate natural resource economics course in the late 1970s. The essay includes a weaving in of the history and influences of the conservation and environmental movements in the U.S. which date back to the late 19th century and early 20th century. In addition to providing some context for a book on teaching natural resource and environmental economics in which it appears, this essay also serves as a teaching tool itself helping students understand the origins and history of thought related to these fields.