More parks, preserves, refuges, monuments, and other pieces of land were set aside over time. However, there wasn’t a unifying organization in place to manage them. As such, many lacked funding and private companies opened hotels, railroads, ranches, and sawmills on the land, putting the natural and historical sites in danger. Among the many calling for change was Stephen Mather, a wealthy industrialist. He launched an extensive campaign, backed by fellow industrialists, schoolchildren, newspapers, and even the National Geographic Society. Mather’s efforts paid off on August 25, 1916, when President Woodrow Wilson signed legislation establishing the National Park Service. Over time, lands were transferred to the N.P.S. from the Forest Service and War Department. Today, the National Park Service includes over 400 areas, covering more than 84 million acres, in the 50 states as well as American territories.