Though Richard Milhous Nixon is best known for the Watergate scandal that led to his resignation and defined his presidency, he was also one of the most environmental U.S. presidents. Nixon became president in 1968, eight years after losing the 1960 presidential election to John F. Kennedy. Despite his negative reputation on the left side of the political aisle, Nixon did a lot of positive things for the environment. We can thank him for creating the Environmental Protection Agency as well as signing the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974, and the Endangered Species Act of 1973.