The Eightfold Path is an early set of Buddhist practices which when practiced correctly is believed to liberate one from samsara, which is the cycle of death and rebirth. It is basically the cycle of reincarnation. Samsara is considered to be mundane, painful and unsatisfactory in Buddhist teachings. It is perpetuated by human ignorance and greed. These teachings are to help one reach nirvana so that samsara may finally end.
There were many actions and characteristics of Teddy Roosevelt that contributed to his reputation as the first modern president, but one of the biggest was that his set aside land for national parks.