Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1923-05-03
OUR VACATIONAL
PLAY GROUNDS

The Belt mountains are rapidly be-
coming the vocational Fairgrounds of
the people of Great Falls and sur
rounding country.
The forest service and numerous
other organizations have been doing
great work along this line. There is
being created public sentiment in ia
vor Of this state as a tourist vacation
center. Time and more energy will
help to make it one of the most pop
uiar states Of the union.
When we think Of the tourist travel
we unconsciously think of the lures
that bring them here. I am sure we
all agree on one thing-that the num-
erous beautiful streams, the unlimited
supplies of fish and game and the
forests are responsible for this.
The natural resources are here.
They were here in the beginning. They
are Natures gift, the gift to be used
in the setting of our vocational play
grounds. What we have we must
keep and though our natural greed
stirs US on into other lines this gift
should not be neglected.
At the present time, after years of
struggle to acquaint the public with
this fact, we have at last received
some encouragement. The public is
aware Of the fact. They are rapidly
realizing that the natural gifts of this
state are the biggest factors in its
success.
The game and fish department of
the state has done great work in
stocking our streams with fish and
protecting those already there Their
work in protecting the game has been
unexcelled anywhere in this country.
The numerous organizations and
sportsman's clubs are doing great
work. They are getting at the root
of the subject They are putting it
before the public eye.
There still remains one big subject
which the people do not seem to un-
derstand. They cannot be made to
see of what vast Importance it is. 1t
is the Forests. With the ever increas-
ing tourist travel in this state there
has been an ever increasing danger of
fire. The more people, the more fires;
the more danger of them getting |
away and doing considerable damage.
People do not seem to realize the !
value of these trees and their beauty
and usefulness in the setting of life.
Hard as we try to educate them to
the danger and though the work is not
done without avail, there still remains
q large number of them who refuse to
be Careful With Fire"
They must be made to be careful;
If we are to retain our vocational
Fairgrounds, we must retain the nat
ural setting. The streams are there
and will be there as long as the trees
remain to form a watershed for them.
The game and fish department will
continue its fight for the preserva-
ton Of fish and wild life. But with
out the setting of those beautiful trees
and the streams what would vaca-
ton in the mountains be- 1t all links
up to the one big problem, protection
of our forests and educating the peo
pie to the danger of being careless
with fire.
The fish depend upon the water.
The forest animals also depend upon
water and trees for their living. The
water supply depends upon the roots
of the trees as the natural sponge on
which they may depend for their uni
form supply of water. Without the
trees they will dry up. And the trees7
What do they depend on, On the in
telligence and clearmindedness of the
people who come in contact with them.
Do you come in contact with them up
there in their natural settling? IL
you do. if you appreciate their beauty
and usefulness. make it point to al
ways carry with you this eBe Careful
With Fire" Preach it to your friends
and those with whom you come in {
contact in the woods Show them that
the forests are their gift and that by
doing little bit to protect them they ,
are only dong themselves and hu- +
manity a good turn. II
The streams, the fish and the game |
will always be yours if you start with :
the forests and give them the care I
til, 80 cGt...k- X. fielp - cetain (
for this state our vocational play I
grounds by cooperating with us in s
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