Evening star., 1936-11-21
NATURE PROGRAM WINS CITY
Thousands of Washington People Follow Leadership When Donald
McI1enry Explores Natural Trails, Backed by Experience
He Had in Grand Canyon.

tanning program. His keen sense Of
humor and unusual ability to trans
late technical data into dramatic,
everyday language have won many
followers.
This man of amazing vitality says
there is SO much to be accomplished
that he has little time to worry about
regular hours. Many times he misses
meals and seldom takes q days rest.
His duties often begin at daybreak
and end late at night.
Il believe" he explains enthusi-
astically, in the need of conducted
tours in American cities. Enthusiasm
always draws people into these things.
try to get the public's viewpoint. For
instance, a steep grade may merely
mean go slow to a motorist, but I
see this hill in a different light-per-
hapS an ancient river bank of a pre-.
historic landscape. Also I try to an
ticipate questions. In fact. tourists
often tell me that I answer questions
before they ask them"
Profound appreciation of natures
wonders is a dominating influence in
the McHenry family. The park natu-
ralists mothers interest in botany in.
auenced his early life. While instruc-
tor at wyoming University Summer
Camp in Colorado McHenry was at
tracted to fair botany student, who
later became his wife. Bona May Nc
Henry. the dark-haired and soft
spoken wife of the naturalist. is a
former Oklahoma school teacher.
When the McHenrys came to WASH
ington the "wide-o open spaces" of the
West fingered in their memories. AL
ready their two young sons were ac-
customed to the outdoors. So they
searched for house with spacious
yard Finally they found the house
and the yard. But. alas, Nature takes
her toll, for now Washington's park
naturalist complains because he has
to NOV the grass on his wide lawn.
Even McHenrys hobbies are closely
connected with his life work. In his
home he exhibits a colorful specimen
of hand-loom weaving, which he COM
pleted after many months labor.
From the natives of the Blue Ridge
Mountains and the Indians of Grand
Canyon he has gained a wide knowl.
edge of their handicraft. Photography.
writing and pencil sketching round out
the naturalist's spare-time activities.
He is the author of several widely read
articles on Grand Canyon, and his
poetry won him honors in the Ameri-
can College Quill Club.
MUSIC, however, is his favorite form
of relaxation. Nor is this surpris-
ing. AS a youth he showed marked
talent for the pipe organ. Later, while
college student, he was featured as
pipe organ soloist on the initial broad
cast of wyoming radio station.
Although McHenry is a native of
Philadelphia, he has lived in the West
the past Is years. He has Travelled
many miles during his varied career.
During the World War he enlisted in
the Ambulance Corps and spent eight
months in France. Later he studied
missionary work at the University Of
Wyoming. where he was graduated
with honors.
Before entering the National Park
Service. five years ago. he was botany
professor at Oklahoma A. and M.
Surely fate led him into the service of
Uncle Sam. Strange to say, Fort Nc
Henry National Park In Maryland
bears the name of one of his ancestors.
James McHenry. At this famous fort
Francis Scott Key composed THE Star
Spangled Banner" In the War OF 1912.
The creation of washington's nature
program in less than q year Is o re-
rnarkable achievement. Already $4,000
enthusiastic nature lovers attest to the
versatility of McHenry-scientist, lee
turer, psychologist and Snowman. His
program establishes a new type of en-
joyment for city dwellers. His success
in the Nations Capital is. without
doubt. an inspiration to ofhcials of
other cities. In the future, citizens
throughout the Nation will enjoy
metropolitan nature trails similar 10
those blazed by Donald Edward Nc
Henry.