Sustainability Vision

Through his action, passion, and foresight, Roosevelt ushered in a new era of conservation and stewardship of the American natural landscape. The Library’s design will reflect and expand upon those values, setting an ambitious new standard for environmental conservation and sustainability leadership.

When Roosevelt first arrived in the Badlands, he quickly adapted and learned to survive in the rugged landscape. Similarly, the Library will be a model of self-sufficiency—a project that can “live off the land.” It will be a place for healing and regenerating for all people and forms of life. With maximum impact and a minimal footprint, this building will be designed not just for today or tomorrow, but for one hundred years from now.

Working with the Land

The history and journey of any landscape is recorded through its soils, waters, and vegetation. In the Badlands, fire and grazing play important roles in the story.

Fires, both naturally and culturally set, are part of the historic processes of the grassland surrounding the Library. Fire limits the growth of woody vegetation, favoring grasses and forbs. Historically, tribes across the continent have employed regular low-heat burns to maintain plants and game species important to their communities. Suppression of fire over time means loss of landscape character and degraded ecology, but also the risk of uncontrolled high-heat wildfires.

Grazing, both historic by bison and contemporary by the ranching community, also plays an important role in the ecological character of the Badlands. Like fire, grazing can help orient plant communities toward increased richness and abundance. Both grazing and controlled burns are part of the project, putting North Dakotan conservation at the center of the Library’s activity.