Discussion
After a discussion of principles outlined in the above paper as they could be applied in the daily activities of the Park Naturalist, Chief Naturalist Hall presented the following outline of the classes of activities which should each claim a part of the Park Naturalist’s time:
1. The Park Naturalist should accumulate all available scientific data on subject related to his park to serve as a basis for the educational activities.
2. The Park Naturalist must maintain a program of current service to the public, the object of which is the interpreting of the park to visitors.
3. A Park Naturalist should conduct detailed studies of the scientific aspects of any particularly important park feature which is necessarily affected by the administrative program, and he should work in close cooperation with the other administrative units in devising and carrying out plans for the management of these features.
4. If possible, the Park Naturalist should allocate a portion of his time for original research pertaining to the park along lines in which he is specially qualified.
It was stressed that, although during the initial stages of the development of a park educational program, it may be necessary to lay undue emphasis upon the program of interpretation to the public, Park Naturalists should make every effort to so arrange the allocation of their personal time that ultimately each of the above fields will be given its own logical importance.
* After the reading of Mr. Yeager’s paper on the part Park Naturalists should play in the administrative program, there followed a lively discussion which resulted in the formulation of the following statement, which was unanimously agreed upon by all delegates present:
“We realize the importance of carrying on a continuous program of educational service for the public during the park season; but to secure the greatest efficiency on the part of the station, it is advisable that educational workers be free on one day each week. We recommend that this be accomplished by increasing the staff sufficiently to allow for substitutes on this day, but feel that if no increase is possible arrangements should be made to curtail the current program in order to reach this objective.”
It was agreed by all present that the Park Naturalist should take as active a part in the program of current activities as is possible without interfering with his administrative duties.
It was agreed that when a new educational activity is being inaugurated it is advisable that the Park Naturalist take as big a part in this activity as possible without unduly interfering with his administrative duties.
*Discussion as continued at opening of session on November 9.
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