The Department of the Interior, created in 1849, is a Department of Con- 

 servation, concerned with management, conservation, and development of 

 the Nation's water, wildlife, fish, mineral, forest, and park and recreational 

 resources. It has major responsibilities also for Indian and Territorial 

 affairs. 



As America's principal conservation agency, the Department works to 

 assure that nonrenewable resources are developed and used wisely, that park 

 and recreational resources are conserved for the future, and that renewable 

 resources make their full contribution to the progress, prosperity, and security 

 of the United States, now and in the future. 



Front cover photo by 



Luther C. Goldman 



Whooping Cranes, Aransas National Wildlife Refuge 

 Texas, February 1964 



Vignettes by 

 Alfred J. Godin 



Back cover photos by 

 Lee E. Yeager 



