Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Josh Nygren

@joshuanygren.bsky.social

610 followers 260 following 64 posts

Historian studying the political economy of environmental protection. Book on US agricultural conservation out with UNC Press: https://uncpress.org/book/9781469680491/the-state-of-conservation/. Wisconsinite in Missouri.

uncpress.org

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

Josh Nygren @joshuanygren.bsky.social · Jan 7

Publication Day!

My book is officially out with @uncpress.bsky.social. A case study of conservation from the Progressive Era to the age of sustainability, it shows how agricultural conservation aided the rise of industrial ag -- with similar results for land & people.

uncpress.org/book/9781469...

The State of Conservation | Joshua Nygren | University of North Carolina Press

In the twentieth century, natural resource conservation emerged as a vital force in US politics, laying the groundwork for present-day sustainability. Mergin...

uncpress.org

4 9 35

Josh Nygren @joshuanygren.bsky.social · 13d

So you’re saying Jason Alexander has a shot at broadcasting after all?
youtu.be/atdYi41IyY4

Seinfeld - New Job

YouTube video by Mental Set

youtu.be

Reposted by Josh Nygren

Dolly Jørgensen @dollyjorgensen.bsky.social · Aug 18

I have gotten our @greenhouseuis.net #envhum book talks for September & October posted!

Always on Mondays at 16:00 (4pm) Central European time.

For details see: newnatures.org/greenhouse/

2 33 64

Josh Nygren @joshuanygren.bsky.social · Jul 31

Congrats, Vaughn!

Reposted by Josh Nygren

Vaughn Scribner @vaughnscribner.bsky.social · Jul 31

So honored--My most recent book, Under Alien Skies (UNC Press), won the Society of the Cincinnati Prize. Public reception at their headquarters in October!
www.americanrevolutioninstitute.org/society-of-t...

The Society of the Cincinnati Prize - The American Revolution Institute

The Society of the Cincinnati Prize has been awarded since 1989 to an outstanding scholarly book on the American Revolution. It is now awarded annually.

www.americanrevolutioninstitute.org

1 1 4

Josh Nygren @joshuanygren.bsky.social · Jul 31

yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300...

Shopping All the Way to the Woods

A fascinating history of the profitable paradox of the American outdoor experience: visiting nature first requires shopping No escape to nature is complet...

yalebooks.yale.edu

Josh Nygren @joshuanygren.bsky.social · Jul 31

I sure hope someone shares this link with Rachel Gross.

theonion.com/historians-c...

Historians Confirm Lewis And Clark Set Out On Expedition To Justify Purchase Of Expensive Camping Equipment

PRINCETON, NJ—Dispelling long-held notions that the trip was conducted to map newly acquired U.S. territory in the West, Princeton University historians confirmed Thursday that Meriwether Lewis and Wi...

theonion.com

1 5

Josh Nygren @joshuanygren.bsky.social · Jul 30

As far as I know, this is the first class of its kind. We’re taking a study tour of NYC. I’m hoping Kenny Kramer will resume his reality tour, but I haven’t heard back.

Perhaps @i-jasonalexander.bsky.social could pull some strings?

Josh Nygren @joshuanygren.bsky.social · Jul 30

I’ve been rewatching SEINFELD the past few months. Finished it today. Coming this spring: a class on 1990s history told through the show.

“The Course about Nothing: Life in SEINFELD’s America.”

1 2

Josh Nygren @joshuanygren.bsky.social · Jul 30

You’re in very serious trouble, Mr. Steinfeld.

Josh Nygren @joshuanygren.bsky.social · Jul 30

1 4

Josh Nygren @joshuanygren.bsky.social · Jul 22

Latest review!

H-Net Reviews @hnetreviews.bsky.social · Jul 22

New book review:
Van Lanen on Nygren, Joshua: _State of Conservation: Rural America and the Conservation-Industrial Complex since 1920, The_. University of North Carolina Press, 2025. Published by H-Sci-Med-Tech.
Read here: networks.h-net.org/node/20120962

Nygren, Joshua. The State of Conservation: Rural America and the Conservation-Industrial Complex since 1920. : University of North Carolina Press, 2025. 322 pp. $32.95 (paper), ISBN 9781469680491. Reviewed by Amanda L. Van Lanen (Lewis-Clark State College) Published on H-Sci-Med-Tech (July, 2025) Commissioned by Penelope K. Hardy (University of Wisconsin-La Crosse)

networks.h-net.org

Josh Nygren @joshuanygren.bsky.social · Jul 17

The past is never dead. It’s not even past.

Logan Jaffe @loganjaffe.bsky.social · Jul 16

As a journalist and emerging public historian, I spent much of the past week reading through transcripts of oral histories made and collected by residents of Kerr County, Texas – where flash floods killed more than 100 people this month.

There’s one recording that stood out to me. 🧵

2 3

Reposted by Josh Nygren

Joe Mason @moreorloess.bsky.social · Jul 16

Connections: Reading @joshuanygren.bsky.social's The State of Conservation (a great book), reminded me that Henry Reuss, key congressional sponsor of the Ice Age Trail, was also an outspoken critic of stream channelization, which was most prominent in loess landscapes uncpress.org/book/9781469...

The State of Conservation | Joshua Nygren | University of North Carolina Press

In the twentieth century, natural resource conservation emerged as a vital force in US politics, laying the groundwork for present-day sustainability. Mergin...

uncpress.org

1 3 10

Josh Nygren @joshuanygren.bsky.social · Jul 16

I look forward to listening!

Reposted by Josh Nygren

The Assisi Project @assisiproject.com · Jul 9

"If Isaiah were prophesizing today, the United States would be the subject of his righteous fury." #PrayForAmerica #RememberThePoor www.ncronline.org/opinion/home...

Homeland Security weaponizes Bible verse to justify Trump's immigration tactics

"Here am I, send me," from Isaiah, is the caption on a DHS promotional video, which also used a clip from the movie "Fury." The message is clear: It is glorifying Trump's military intervention at the ...

www.ncronline.org

16 31

Josh Nygren @joshuanygren.bsky.social · Jun 14

This restroom sign in Rocky Mountain National Park tells some stories

Josh Nygren @joshuanygren.bsky.social · Jun 11

I play this song (and Tupac’s Changes) to close out my US history survey.

Josh Nygren @joshuanygren.bsky.social · Jun 2

Apologies to Marty Robbins

Josh Nygren @joshuanygren.bsky.social · Jun 2

From the town of Escanaba
Sailed a schooner one fall day
Its name was Christina Nilsson
And it made the news today
The Nilsson had not cleared weather
It could not find a slip
It sunk with all its cargo
It was pig iron on the ship
Pig iron on the ship

www.greenbaypressgazette.com/story/news/l...

1 2

Josh Nygren @joshuanygren.bsky.social · May 30

I had a great conversation with Sydney Widell of the Coon Creek Community Watershed Council, a true grassroots organization doing some great work with land & water management in the Driftless Area.

Excited to join their meeting next week!
@uncpress.bsky.social

Eric Booth @egbooth.bsky.social · May 30

Excellent interview with @joshuanygren.bsky.social on his amazing new book and connections with the Coon Creek Watershed. cooncreekwatershed.org/cccwc-june-m...

Conservation historian to share new book at June 4 CCCWC Meeting. - Coon Creek Community Watershed Council, Inc

The Coon Creek Community Watershed Council is pleased to welcome Josh Nygren at our June 4 meeting to share insights from his research. We’ll meet at Jersey Valley County Park at 6pm for dinner, and J...

cooncreekwatershed.org

4 6

Josh Nygren @joshuanygren.bsky.social · May 30

Thanks for the shoutout, Eric! Looking forward to being back in the Driftless next week!

Josh Nygren @joshuanygren.bsky.social · May 28

Congrats to you both!

1 1

Josh Nygren @joshuanygren.bsky.social · May 21

Oo, exciting! Was it live-streamed or recorded? Hope it went well!

Josh Nygren @joshuanygren.bsky.social · May 18

They’d be there for you any time you’d column

Reposted by Josh Nygren

Midwestern History Association @midwesternhistory.bsky.social · May 16

Nature, Water, and Land Management in the West. Chaired by @joshuanygren.bsky.social

1 1 6

Reposted by Josh Nygren

Jeff Manuel @jeffmanuel.bsky.social · Apr 21

With a cover and a listing on Amazon, it's official. ETHANOL: A HEMISPHERIC HISTORY FOR THE FUTURE OF BIOFUELS will be published in October by the University of Oklahoma Press. Pre-orders now available!
www.amazon.com/Ethanol-Hemi...
🗃️
💡🔌🌽🇧🇷

Ethanol: A Hemispheric History for the Future of Biofuels

Ethanol: A Hemispheric History for the Future of Biofuels [Manuel, Jeffrey T., Rogers, Thomas D.] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Ethanol: A Hemispheric History for the Future of Biofuels

www.amazon.com

5 12 50