FOREWORD 



This book is intended to jofuide the reader to a fuller understandinpr of 

 Point Lobos Reserve, its unique value as an example of primitive land- 

 scape, and the reasons for the policy underlying its administration. 



A rocky promontory on the shore of the Pacific three miles south of 

 Carmel, California, crowned by a grove of picturesque wind-blown ]Mon- 

 terey cypress, backed by slopes and meadows rich with associations of 

 plant and animal life in relatively undisturbed environment. Point Lobos 

 has long been recognized as an area of rare natural beauty and excep- 

 tional scientific interest. When it was acquired for the inspiration and 

 enjojTiient of the public, the California State Park Commission appreciated 

 its perishable qualities, and asked an advisory committee, with assistance 

 from the Carnegie Corporation, the Carnegie Institution of Washington, 

 and the Save-the-Redwoods League, to undertake an intensive study of all 

 values inherent in the site, and to recommend the plan upon which the 

 present policy of protection is based. This publication has been made pos- 

 sible by a grant from the Carnegie Institution of Washington, D. C. 



A composite work, this volume has been taken from the findings of 

 specialists who contributed to the Point Lobos Master Plan, and the writ- 

 ings of others who have thought upon the problem of protecting primitive 

 landscape conditions. At times these are quoted verbatim, and at other times 

 their reports or recommendations are paraphrased. Credit is given at the 

 beginning of each chapter to those from whose studies material has been 

 drawn. 



Just as Point Lobos Reserve is a living, growing thing, subject to never- 

 ending change, so this book may doubtless in future editions undergo ex- 

 tensive modification both in content and method of approach — provided 

 the belief is correct that there is continuing need for such a work in the 

 field of nature interpretation. 



Aubrey Drury, 1954 

 August, 1954 



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