The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-07-30

M al conservation? How are you,
as an Individual, or as mem
Der of an organization, helping in this
great movement? Do you know that
a great share of the conservation work
already accomplished is due to the
women of America?
Within the past few years an aston
ishing wave of interest in national
parks, native birds, good roads and
waterways has swept over our Ameri-
can women Groups of workers in ev-
cry state of the union are spending
money, and, more valuable still, time
and energy, upon the development of
Americas natural resources
And all this growing conservation
movement dates from a sick womans
desire to scale Longs Peak in the
Rocky mountains. Mrs. John Dicken-
son Sherman.
Mrs. Sherman is now chairman of
the conservation department of the
General Federation of Women's clubs
and directs the work of thousands Of
women.
'One can judge a nation by what it
does in it's playtime," says Mrs. Sher-
man. people are safe enough while
they are working.
I'VE need these parks as recreation
places. America has failed to realize
their patriotic, economic, especially
their spiritual value. Our people need
more out-of-doors. Our children ought
to know the great beauty spots of this
country. l believe that nothing could
make a greater impression upon a child
than the grandeur of such view as 1
saw from Longs Peak.
I'VE have a wealth of natural scenery
in America. Think of the great sequoia
trees. the oldest trees in EXISTENCE
almost said, the oldest creatures, for
they seem more like living beings than
plants. AS you stand there, looking up
at them, you feel a kinship with the
ages. you forget everything but the
wonder Of those great old trees.
ITO lose ones self like that is worth
more than all the BOOKS and plays ever
written. 1t is something that stays
with child all his life.
Children are the citizens of tomor-
row. Yet today most of them are quit
ting their classes for good, knowing
nothing of the scenery, and birds and
natural wonders Of America. 1 want to
see such knowledge become a regular
part Of our school work
"One cannot overestimate the eco
nomic value Of our national scenery.
alpine tourists are the source of Swift
erlands greatest revenue. There is no
wi he oh
be true Of America. Up to the war.
Americans were spending S500,00oooo a
year abroad. Yet we have far greater
and far more beauties right here at
home. Why"-Mrs. Sherman laughed
and threw back her head with a little
toss Of pride-''the Swiss Alps would
be lost in our Rocky mountains.
another point 1 am constantly urg-
ing upon our club women is this: Now
Is the time to set aside these areas for
protection, either as local or as nation
al parks Many of our beautiful stretches
of scenery which once had but a small
money value, are now either privately
or commercially owned. SO that the
purchasing price for the state or the
nation is prohibitive."
Next to natural scenery and national
parks. Mrs. Sherman and her club
workers are especially interested in
the Lincoln highway. and the preserva
ton of native birds.
Birds are the trees best friends"
said Mrs Sherman. aside from any
sentimental value, birds are a real
necessity to our farmers. Insects are
costing American agriculture $780,
100000 every year. Birds help to check
these pests.
Another abuse against which we are
working hard is the use of birds on
womens hats. When milliner sees
that a woman likes a hat. she tells her
it is trimmed with dyed chicken feath-
ers, but only an expert can really tell
the difference.
ION the whole, we have met with a
wonderful response from women every
where, on this and other conservation
subjects. All we need now to arouse
Americas interest in it's own resources
is education
There are eight divisions of work in
the conservation department of the
General Federation of Women's clubs
national scenery. birds, Lincoln way.
roadside planting, forestry, water and
waterways, soils and minerals and good
roads, Every state has eight commit
tees Of club women, corresponding to
the eight divisions of work.
This means that in every state in the