262 THE NA TURE-STUD Y RE VIE \V [ 2 . 8 -nov., .906 



Factors and Influences now Contributing to the Progress of Nature-Study in 



California 



Much of the pioneer work in nature-study in the State emanated 

 from Stanford University, the chief worker being Professor O. P. 

 Jenkins. Professor Jenkins has always beei and is yet very active in 

 the promotion of nature-study, not only at the University where he 

 conducts courses in the subject for teachers, but also among the 

 teachers of the State. 



The University of California, especially since 1900, has shown a 

 great deal of interest in nature-study. Allusion has already been 

 made to the conferences directed by the Department of Education. 

 The originator and leader of these conferences was Professor Elmer 

 E. Brown, now U. S. Commissioner of Education. The College of 

 Agriculture and Departments of Botany and Zoology have lent their 

 hearty cooperation not only by assisting in these conferences but also 

 in giving courses in nature-study to teachers and prospective teachers. 

 Special provision has been made for the subject in each of the summer 

 sessions, courses being given in nature-study, elementary agriculture, 

 and study of insects. 



Mrs. Anna Botsford Comstock of Cornell University has conducted 

 courses in nature-study in both universities. 



When we consider that over forty per cent, of the teachers of the 

 State have received their training in normal schools and that the 

 number of such trained teachers is rapidly increasing (the demand 

 being now greater than the supply), it will be seen what an important 

 factor these schools are in the elementary education of California. 

 Much attention is given in all of these schools to various phases of 

 nature-study. Four out of the five State Normal Schools have school- 

 gardens in connection with their training schools. At the last annual 

 meeting of the Board of State Normal School Trustees especial 

 attention was given to the question of preparing teachers to give 

 instruction in elementary agriculture. The importance of such pre- 

 paration of teachers is emphasized by the fact that over eighty per cent, 

 of the graduates of these schools have their first experience in rural 

 schools or village schools in rural communities. All the State Normal 

 Schools, with the possible exception of the one located at San Fran- 

 cisco, are beginning to give greater attention to work in nature-study 

 involving agriculture. 



On May of the present year the Audubon Society of California was 

 organized. Already its influence is being felt in the public schools. 



