SCHOOL DEPARTMENT 



Edited by ALICE HALL WALTER 



Address all communications relative to the work of this depart- 

 ment to the editor, at 53 Arlington Avenue, Providence, R. I. 



THE VALUE OF A DEFINITE PURPOSE 



It is a truism to state that a definite purpose has value, but since very 

 many people overlook or misconstrue value, it may serve a good end to once 

 more emphasize this point in connection with the work of our State Audubon 

 Societies. 



That the Audubon Society as a whole has always had a definite purpose, 

 no one can gainsay. This purpose was, and still is, the protection of our native 

 birds, and, in this day and generation, we are reaping the benefits of the cumu- 

 lative efforts of the pioneers in what is now understood to be a movement in 

 the interests of conservation. 



As the work of the Society has become more far-reaching, its purpose has 

 become broader until, today, the word protection does not adequately express 

 all that is meant by the organization. 



Along with the idea of protection has grown up the conception of the value 

 of protection, and in order to bring this value before the public in definite form, 

 a particular kind of education has been, and still is, necessary. 



The importance of having a definite purpose in strengthening measures for 

 the protection of our birds has been shown over and over again in legislation. 

 What we seem to lack most now, is making clear and definite to the public our 

 purpose in education along the line of nature-study. As soon as a definite 

 value is attached to nature-study, its success will be assured. The general 

 uncertainty still surrounding this delightful study in the minds of many people, 

 educators among the rest, lays a special task upon the Audubon Society. The 

 National Association is taking up this task nobly in its Junior Audubon work, 

 but state societies are not keeping pace in this great educational movement. 



Again the plea is made, not only for a definite program of work but, also, 

 for some definite piece of work aside from the program, which shall be of value 

 to the entire community. 



Perhaps the example of the Audubon Society of Rhode Island may help 

 other states to see their way clear to more practical undertakings. 



This society, on a venture, has raised a fund something short of five hun- 

 dred dollars, with which it is training a field-worker at the Roger Williams 

 Park Museum, for a position which, though not as yet recognized as a legitimate 

 part of the grade-school, is felt as a latent demand in many places. 



(369) 



