Today Yellowstone’s Naturalist Division stands as the symbol of
America’s love for the great out-of-doors. Its philosophy is wise and
comprehensive. Its scientists have delved deeply for the facts. Still,
there is a spirit of self-abnegation among the personnel. They serve all
and sundry in every possible way, and yet they are pledged to the
preservation of the natural treasures. Their contribution to protection
of park values is shared with that of the ranger staff. The number of
public contacts runs into the hundreds of thousands annually. Wise,
indeed, is the tourist who avails himself of this free guide service.
The principal points of interest are visited over footpath or by auto
caravan. Daily schedules of these activities are posted, and an
illustrated lecture is held in an amphitheater each night. Many citizens
have expressed their satisfaction with this naturalist service:
He unravelled before our city-wearied eyes the skein of beauty nature
has hidden in this great preserve. With skillful phrase he repictured
for us the aeons during which the mountains were wrinkling and the
cobalt lakes were born. His keen eyes found us mountain sheep ... his
wide knowledge compassed the flowers and birds along the way. He knew
when and where to take us to see the beaver at work, and where the
water ouzel bubbled forth its cascade of song. He answered all our
questions with calm courtesy. Around the nightly campfire he brought
to us in song and story the romance and exuberance of the west....
The fire of his enthusiasm welded us to the National Park idea and
out-of-doors as nothing had ever done. We returned to the east
inspired by a new understanding of the greatness of America and the
magnificence of its beauty.[345]
In 1928 the Laura Spelman Rockefeller Foundation made a donation to be
used by the American Association of Museums in the Park. Under the
direction of Dr. Hermon C. Bumpus museums were erected at Old Faithful,
Madison, Norris and Fishing Bridge. The main museum at Mammoth was
improved and a number of roadside exhibits were established.[346]
Mission 66 was begun by the National Park Service in 1956. It is a
conservation program to assure full protection of irreplaceable scenic,
scientific and historic treasures and to develop and staff the Parks to
permit their wisest possible use for your enjoyment. Completion is
scheduled for 1966, the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the
National Park Service, hence Mission 66.
Under this program, new roads, bridges, campgrounds and other facilities
are being built. A fine new visitor center was opened in 1958 at Canyon
Village and a large number of attractive new roadside exhibits and signs
interpret the human and natural history of the great natural museum that
is Yellowstone.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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