Evening star., 1936-11-21
By Bernard KOhn.


\ ferred from Grand Canyon
~ to Washington to launch
new Government venture. This
of the National
Park Service was chosen to inaugu-
rate Uncle Sans first metropolitan
nature program, which is now in full
swing in the Nations Capital. Al
ready this pioneer program has at
tracted over $4,000 people during the
last six months.
When McHenry came here no pro-
gram Of this kind existed anywhere
in the United States. Today thou
sands of requests for nature-activity
bulletins pour into his Office, and the
naturalist's fan mail" includes in
vitations to speak before clubs and
student assemblies. Yet he says the
nature program is still in the EN-
bryonic stages of development.
Washington" said McHenry. lis an
ideal city in which to sponsor a ma
ture program. Beautiful spaces are
part of our national park system and
offer city residents unlimited oppor-
tunity to enjoy many phases of ma
ture. The whole-hearted response of
nature conscious Washingtonians and
visitors to the city has made it possible
permanently to establish this program.
Spectacular diversions in our big
cities" he continues, often over
shadow the opportunities for whole
some enjoyment derived from outdoor
activities within a metropolitan area.
I learned that many persons here,
especially newcomers, are at loose
ends finding ways to amuse them
selves. The nature program is
year-round source of wholesome rec
reation which people of all ages may
enjoy"
Public response to Government ex-
periments here during the last five
years has proved that the metropolitan
nature program was seeking its place
in the sun. Last year DR.. H. c. Bry-
ant. assistant director of the Ma
tional Park Service. decided to at
tempt full-hedged program here. like
those in the major national parks.
Donald Edward McHenry, already
well known for his work at Grand
Canyon, was selected as the man for
Job, McHenry admits that he was
puzzled when he learned Of his pro-
posed transfer to washington.
IT didn't want to leave Grand Can
yon," frankly admits the tall. blond
naturalist. My work there was in
tensely interesting. To live in the
Grand Canyon region Is rare ex-
perience. Although I had been at
the Canyon four years, I was still
fascinated by this masterpiece of ma
lures handiwork."
INVARIABLY, in any conversation.
= Donald McHenry's talk swings to
his favorite topic-Grand Canyon. Nor
is this strange. for he Is recognized as
an authority on the natural phenom-
ena of that region. He explored un-
surveyed parts of the deep gorge and
was one of three men who recently
discovered ancient cliff dwellings
along the canyon wall. AS Uncle
Sans official host to park visitors, he
entertained world-famous scientists,
artists and authors.
when I heard that I was to be
transferred to Washington" says Nc.
Henry, "I wrote to officials of several
large cities, inquiring about the du-
ties of a metropolitan naturalist. But
no one had ever heard of such job.
However, I was intrigued with the
idea of becoming a pioneer in the de-
yelopment of metropolitan nature
programs, so accepted the position. :"
McHenry spent his first three
months here discovering" the Ma
tion's Capital, poking into every cor
ner Of the city and studying its his
tory, geology. fora and fauna. At
times he enlisted the aid of local
scientists, who enthusiastically hailed
his unusual mission and volunteered
their help.
'In short time" McHenry says, u
knew Washington 80 well that was
able to direct lifelong residents to