In his biography of John Wesley Powell, Bruce Babbitt reflects on the profound impact Wallace Stegner's "Beyond the Hundredth Meridian" had on him. When he read it in 1954, it was like a revelation that broke through conventional thinking. Stegner adeptly highlighted the challenges posed by the arid landscape of the American West and emphasized the necessity for collective human efforts to address these challenges. His work inspired a deeper appreciation for the relationship between people and their environment.

Babbitt credits Stegner with reshaping his perspective on the American West, urging a harmonious partnership between humanity and the natural world. Stegner’s insights have resonated widely, illustrating the importance of adapting societal frameworks to the unique ecological conditions of the West. In David Gessner's book, "All The Wild That Remains," the legacies of figures like Abbey and Stegner continue to inform contemporary discussions on environmental stewardship and land use in the region.