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

THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM AND ITS PLACE IN NATIONAL PARKS ADMINISTRATION

WHAT ARE THE ELEMENTS OF A "WELL ROUNDED" EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM.

By C. A. Harwell.

The following five elements occur to me as essential in developing a "Well Rounded" educational program in any national park.

1. Natural phenomena
2. Sympathetic visitors
3. Personnel
4. Program
5. Equipment

Natural phenomena of outstanding significance of course are present in every park. These phenomena attract visitors. If the comforts of these visitors are adequately provided for we have sympathetic visitors. A staff trained in science is needed to study the natural phenomena. They should be trained in the sciences of sociology and education that the larger truths discovored may be interpreted through these studies to visitors. A program of educational activities requiring suitable equipment must needs be set up to accomplish this.

These elements need to be kept in balance. In view of this, the Park Naturalist whose duty this is must be much more than a scientist. The larger the park, the larger are his responsibilities in administrative matters. He must know much of human nature. He is often before the public. He is consulted in matters of great importance by the Superintendent and others of the Service, and must learn to refine his quick judgments. He must be able to understand quickly the problems and viewpoints of others and other departments so that in such matters as budget and meetings of department heads called by the Superintendent his own department is well represented. He must know men--how to select them for particular duties; how to build programs to use man power wisely; how to keep them a unified and well informed group by such means as regular staff meetings, etc.; how to train them on the job by conferences and by such means as assigning a younger man to observe some one who is more experienced. He must impress his staff with the importance of their work in the park and see to it that they are neat in appearance and courteous to the public. The Park Naturalist must apportion his own time wisely. I feel that his time for research should be scheduled for the slack season. He should have matters in shape by summer so that he can devote himself entirely to the big problem then in hand, which I consider to be interpreting the natural phenomena to visitors. He should take part in guiding, lecturing, making trips to observe other guides, and lectures, meeting the public in many ways, and in trying out new methods so that he has a first hand knowledge of conditions. In this way he can guide discussion at staff meetings and program more wisely. He must keep himself free enough from the program so that he can maintain a broad perspective of the whole program. This is the time the Park Naturalist should visit all the important outposts to see where new work needs to be developed and perhaps some activities changed. A study of all educational activities and facilities at the time of their maximum use is essential to any plans for his next year's program.

The Park Naturalist should certainly be well trained in science. Natural phenomena needs to be scientifically studied. The truth needs to be pretty well known about them by him before he can lead a staff in their interpretation. He must meet and assist visiting scientists in many fields. He should be able to speak their language. I think it is growing more important that a Park Naturalist be able to use material from the scientific researches of others than it is that he carry on intensive research himself. This seems to me so because outside agencies are becoming more and more interested in our parks as laboratories for research and because scientific aids are being attached to the Service.

Following a detailed discussion of the above paper, Mr. Hall stressed the necessity of planning the educational program so as to interpret the major features of the park to visitors. Each member present was then asked to write the definition of "A major feature of a national park". The following definitions were submitted:

"The major feature of a national park is an exhibit of some natural or historical subject which is of an especially fine nature, and which is of a calibre equal if not bettor than that of any other such exhibit displayed in the United States and so has extreme value in explaining and demonstrating a definite story. It should have inspirational, educational and scientific value."

Edwin D. McKee,
Grand Canyon National Park.

"A major feature of a national park is any feature of such outstanding interest from a scenic, scientific, or historical standpoint that it serves as an ideal illustration to the general public of certain formations, flora, fauna, or other natural phenomena, or historical event."

John D. Coffman,
Fire Control Expert.

"When it is set aside as a national park, the area so designated has contained within its boundaries either very unusual, exceptionaly beautiful, or historical attractions, which have been considered worthy of being preserved for posterity. These features vary with the park--they may be geological, biological, scenic, historical, archeological, or botanical---or perhaps more or less a combination of each. The major feature is that for which the park is set aside to be preserved."

Frank T. Been,
Sequoia National Park.

"A major feature of a national park is one which is outstanding in uniqueness, beauty, or scenic interest, the preservation of which has been one of the factors in making the area a national park."

Dorr G. Yeager,
Yellowstone National Park.

"A major feature of a national park is a feature so outstanding in grandeur, in sheer beauty, or in scientific significance, that its story is of interest to all visitors."

C. A. Harwell,
Yosemite National Park.

"A major feature of a national park is one which best expresses one of Nature's basic forces, upon which some hinges our interpretation of some phase of natural history."

C. Frank Brockman,
Mt. Rainier National Park

"A major feature of a national park is a substantial characteristic, that (1) distinguishes a park, or (2) awakens great interest on the part of visitors. The second may or may not be a characteristic that is unique."

Carl P. Russell,
Chief Naturalist.

"For our own clarity of mind I propose a classification of the potential educational features of each park into three groups:

1. Major features: examples of scenic, geological, biological, archeological, or historical phenomena, which are outstanding among such features in the country as a whole and which are essential to the understanding of the park.

2. Important features: examples of geological, biological, archeological, or historical phenomena, which are important when considered from the standpoint of the story of the park as a unit, but not necessarily outstanding examples in the country as a whole.

3. Minor features: examples of scenic, geological, biological, archeological or historical phenomena which may have an educational value and which may be exceedingly important in studying the story of a limited area but which do not necessarily play an essential part in telling the well rounded story of the park as a whole."

Ansel F. Hall,
Chief Naturalist.

After the above definitions wore discussed, the following composite definition was prepared by a committee of three with Mr. Harwell as chairman:

"Major features of a national park are exhibits of scenic, geological, biological, archeological, historical, botanical, or other scientific phenomena, which are outstanding among such features in the country as a whole, possessing great inspirational and educational values."

An inquiry by the chairman developed the fact that all members present were familiar with Yosemite and therefore each was asked to submit a list of the major features of Yosemite National Park. The answers are tabulated below, numerals indicating the order in which the major features were mentioned, It will be noted in studying this table that it might be advisable, inasmuch as certain closely related features were listed under different headings, to combine or rearrange the subjects listed under "features".

Yosemite National Park

The park naturalists present from other parks were each asked to submit a list of what he considered the major features of his park. Following are the lists as submitted:

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