508 CONFERENCE ON NATURAL BEAUTY 



We recommend, too, the establishment of panels to hold under 

 constant review practices in the various areas of conservation, rede- 

 velopment and natural beauty (and conservation education) and 

 to make recommendations to the Council, especially with the view 

 of avoiding duplication of effort by government and lay groups. 



We recommend next the establishment of a Study Committee 

 on Conservation and Natural Beauty composed of leading scholars 

 and educators in the field. The purpose of this committee should 

 be to survey elementary, secondary, and collegiate curricula and 

 make recommendations, where necessary, to the Office of Education, 

 the National Science Foundation, and National Institutes of Health 

 for innovation in curricular areas. The committee should also rec- 

 ommend the development of special studies and investigations in 

 the various areas of the curriculum. 



Perhaps the appointment of this committee might be initiated 

 through activity of the U.S. Office of Education, by a foundation, 

 or other interested groups. 



We considered, too, the establishment of an interdepartmental 

 Board of Review on Conservation Redevelopment, and Natural 

 Beauty to be appointed for the purpose of coordinating publication 

 activities of departments of government concerned with conservation 

 redevelopment and maintenance of natural beauty. 



Finally, we considered the need for incentive grants, or demon- 

 stration grants. We felt these should be made available (through 

 appropriate agencies such as the Office of Education, National In- 

 stitutes of Health, and the National Science Foundation } among 

 others) to universities and institutions, acting in collaboration with 

 local school systems, to encourage the development of school con- 

 struction plans with adjoining natural areas, or with appropriate 

 natural landscaping useful for study of natural environments (so- 

 called outdoor education). This might be done under title III, 

 sections 301, 303, Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 

 1965. 



Schools need natural areas adjoining them (or in ready access) 

 for study by children and for the significant, although subtle, 

 "teaching" and "learning" afforded by such areas. 



We discussed as well the establishment of a coordinating coun- 

 cil for professional and semiprofessional groups (Audubon Society, 

 National Wildlife Federation, and the like) to coordinate efforts 

 and develop collaborative efforts. Such coordination might be 



