By Dr. Geo. C. Ruhle.
In seeking exhibits for labeling along self-guiding and "nature"
trails, it must constantly be borne in mind to choose only such that
carry a message of interest to the layman. To stimulate this interest
variety and character of story is foremost. Among potential exhibits for
a nature trail within a national park, objects such as the following
might be listed:
GEOLOGICAL EXHIBITS
Surface features of individual rocks, such as striations, glacial
grooves, slickenslides, ripple marks, character of fracture, mineral
constituents, petrographic characters.
Scenic features visible along trail - their origin and nature.
Illustrations of geological processes such as examples of
diastropram, aggradation and degradation.
Character of Outcrops. Fossils.
BOTANICAL EXHIBITS
Trees, shrubs and flowers, either whole or in part (as the cross
section of a tree).
Cryptegamous plants, especially those playing an easily
comprehensible important role -- plant societies, such as parasitic
fungi with conspicuous fruiting bodies, lichens, etc.
ZOOLOGICAL EXHIBITS
Naturally very limited, except if one cares to substitute lifeless
models, which I consider quite out of good taste. Such things as birds'
nests, animals' burrows and homes, work of animal life are
excellent.
ECOLOGICAL EXHIBITS
Among those not falling under botanical and zoological exhibits
mentioned above are such examples as soil characteristics and its effect
on life, plant and animal colonies or units and the factors involved on
their composition and history. Interrelationships always are of primary
interest.
ETHNOLOGICAL
The works of man such as mortar rocks, traces of aboriginal
habitations and accupations.
HISTORICAL
Sites of historical events, features constructed by pioneers and
historical personages.