Colorado -- Description and travel; Natural history -- Outdoor books; Rocky Mountain National Park (Colo.) -- History; Rocky Mountains
We need the forest reserve, and we need the National Park. Each of
these serves in a distinct way, and it is of utmost importance that
each be in charge of its specialist. The forester is always the
lumberman, the park man is a practical poet; the forester thinks ever
of lumber, the park man always of landscapes. The forester must cut
trees before they are over-ripe or his crop will waste, while the park
man wants the groves to become aged and picturesque. The forester
pastures cattle in his meadows, while the park man has only people
and romping children among his wild flowers. The park needs the charm
of primeval nature, and should be free from ugliness, artificiality,
and commercialism. For the perpetuation of scenery, a landscape artist
is absolutely necessary. It would be folly to put a park man in charge
of a forest reserve, a lumbering proposition. On the other hand, what
a blunder to put a tree-cutting forester in charge of a park! We need
both these men; each is important in his place; but it would be a
double misfortune to put one in charge of the work of the other. A
National Park service is greatly needed.
Apparently William Penn was the first to honor our scenery, and
Bryant, with poetry, won a literary standing for it. Official
recognition came later, but the establishment of the Yellowstone
National Park was a great incident in the scenic history of
America--and in that of the world. For the first time, a scenic
wonderland was dedicated as "a public park or pleasure ground for the
benefit and enjoyment of all the people." The Yellowstone stands a
high tribute to the statesmanship, the public spirit, and the energy
of F. V. Hayden and the few men who won it for us.
During the last few years the nation, as well as the courts, has put
itself on record concerning the higher worth of scenery. The White
House conference of governors recommended that "the beauty ... of our
country should be preserved and increased"; and the first National
Conservation Commission thought that "public lands more valuable for
conserving ... natural beauties and wonders than for agriculture
should be held for the use of the people."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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