Proceedings

Cover

Contents

The Field Of Education In The National Parks

The Educational Program And Its Place In National Parks Administration

Museums In The National Parks

Planning A Park Museum

Museum Technique

Administration Of Park Museums

Nature Trails

Exhibits In Place

Guiding In The National Parks

Lectures In National Parks

Scientific Aspects Of The Park Protection Program

The Research Program In The National Parks

Use Of Recorded Scientific Data

Research Reserves

Publications

Libraries In The National Parks

Photography And Visual Education

General Administrative Problems

Proceedings Of The First Park Naturalists' Training Conference Held At Educational Headquarters, Berkeley, California: November 1-30, 1929

LECTURES IN NATIONAL PARKS

PARK NATURALISTS' CRITICISMS OF PRESENT LECTURES IN THEIR INDIVIDUAL PARKS

Criticism of Lectures in Mount Rainier National Park - By C. Frank Brockman:

Advantages of present lectures:

1. Serves as a means of acquainting the visitor with park features, where to go and how to get there.

2. Is the chief agency of acquainting the visitor with the park educational activities and our serve, nature walks, etc.

Disadvantages of present lectures:

1. Not sufficient illustrative and visual material.

2. No centralized point of contact on a par with operator's auditorium (Paradise Valley)

3. Not adequate physical needs (Paradise Valley)

4. Net sufficient cooperation with park operators - and possibly at one or two points with rangers.

Changes suggested:

1. That good movies be added to lecture equipment.

2. That more and varied slides be given us to allow a wider field of instruction at each point of lecturing in park. At present one ranger naturalist brings a set of slides from School Board (Seattle)

3. That an adequate system of advertising be disseminated through hotels, etc.

Criticism of Yosemite Lectures - By C. A. Harwell:

Advantages of lectures in Yosemite at present are several:

1. They are given at good locations.

2. They are wanted.

3. They are given by a group of fairly well trained men.

4. They are informal.

5. They are not prescribed as to subject so that initiative of man is brought into play and man is trained in several subjects.

There are a few disadvantages:

1. Not all subjects that should be covered are chosen by man under our scheme.

2. There is no logical sequence of subjects covered.

3. Time is wasted by some men in working up new lectures just because he feels he should do something new.

Changes suggested:

1. Work out more of a "Course of Study" for lecture subjects at some stations and as far as possible fit men available into the scheme so that proper emphasis is given major features which should be stressed in Yosemite.

Probably the most severe criticism of the lecture system in Yellowstone at the present time is the distribution of subject matter. We aim to give each visitor who comes to the park a well rounded story of the park in the proper sequence. That is, Geology, Human History and Indians, Animals, Birds and Flowers. With tourists pouring in from give entrances, and with those driving their own cars not taking a standard trip it is next to impossible to so distribute the lecture material as to reach all of the people on all of the subjects, without duplicating at some points and so obliging the visitor to hear a part of a lecture twice at two different points. It is a difficult problem and one that requires considerable study and time to remedy.

Another criticism is that of too many lectures. At Mammoth, for example, three lectures are given each evening. In my opinion this is a duplication of effort. We should tend toward larger audiences and fewer lecturers, thereby raising the standard of each lecture. Government auditoriums should be established at each point where the centers (lodges, camps, hotels, etc.) are reasonably close together, and lectures should be delivered in these. It might be wise to schedule several lectures during an evening on different subjects, permitting the visitor to attend the one which he desired.

A criticism which we are working hard to remedy is that of the lack of illustrated talks. Of the eleven evening talks in Yellowstone, only two were illustrated last year. This is, of course, a gain of two over the year. We are hoping to add several illustrated talks next season.

Advantages:

1. Great many people.

2. More men lecturing means more qualified lecturers.

Disadvantages:

1. Lectures not properly correlated.

2. Problems arise from illustrated lectures.

3. Problems arising through cooperation with public operators

Changes suggested:

1. More illustrated lectures.

2. Better places to deliver lectures.

Criticism of Present Park Lectures in Lassen National Park -- By Geo. L. Collins:

The nearest thing to a lecture ever given in Lassen Park was rendered to, or rather at, some fifty people gathered at the summit of Lassen Peak one day during 1926. It was requested on the spot, was entirely extemporaneous, was based principally on ignorance, and went practically unnoticed. It might stand out prominently in the annals of lecturing, if given a chance, as the most complete failure ever made. Yet it proved one thing - namely, that I had possibilities as a lecturer that might sometime be developed.

Criticism of Present Lectures in Glacier National Park -- By Geo. C. Ruhle:

Advantages:

1. There are few forms of entertainment for park visitors during evening hours.

2. The possibilities for entertainment are increased by the giving of lectures.

3. The lectures help the visitor interpret and enjoy the natural features.

4. They serve to inform the people what is to be observed and enjoyed, what can be done.

5. They are a vehicle for transmitting the National Park message.

Disadvantages:

1. In some centers, like Going-to-the-Sun, the lecture is inflicted on the audience.

2 If given under adverse conditions, the lecturer cannot give a full measure to his subject.

3. Because of shortage of naturalists, certain classes of tourists, especially the automobile tourist, is slighted.

Changes Suggested:

1. Increased personnel with extension of lectures to include auto camps.

Criticism of present Park Lectures in Sequoia Park - By Frank Been:

Advantages:

1. Large group of receptive people.

2. Evening around camp fire prevents detraction of audience.

3. Inspires interest of people to park.

4. Reaches people not touched by ether means

5. Places Park Service in eyes and attention of visitor.

Disadvantages:

1. No illustrative material

2. Lectures limited mostly to one man.

3. Under park operator's program.

Changes suggested:

1. Start programs under direct charge of ranger

2. Use slides to illustrate

3. Make available outsiders who have subjects pertinent to the park.

Criticism of Present System of Lecturing at Grand Canyon - By E. D. McKee:

Advantages:

A. Yavapai

• First hand information. Subjects "in situ"

• Hand specimens easily used.

• Considerable informality

• . Favorable natural setting and "atmosphere"

B. Camp Fire - South Rim

• Reaches a large part of park visitors, especially auto travelers.

• Favorable natural setting and "atmosphere"

C. Hotel - North Rim

• Reaches a majority of tourists, both car and hotel.

• Assistance from hotel employees and manager helps materially.

• Opportunities for slides and other visual education.

Disadvantages:

A. Yavapai

• Sometimes unfavorable weather conditions

• Distance from centers of population

• Occasional interference by museum visitors not interested.

B. Camp Fire - South Rim

• Few opportunities for first-hand or visual education.

• Bad weather conditions sometimes

• Uncomfortable seating arrangement

C. Hotel - North Rim

• Away from first-hand information

• Very little informality - not even questions following.

Changes:

I am not prepared to definitely state or determine at present, though this problem will be carefully worked out before spring.

Last Modified: Mon, Oct 31, 2002 10:00:00 pm PDT
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