588 CONFERENCE ON NATURAL BEAUTY 



methodology, and with some comprehension of the limitations of 

 science. 



We must further recognize that we cannot put our hopes com- 

 pletely into improving science education in the schools. For the 

 total accumulation of scientific knowledge is doubling every 10 years, 

 and the time between discovery and application is decreasing. Thus, 

 no matter how good the schooling, much of what the citizen will 

 need to know will be discovered ( and therefore can only be learned ) 

 after the completion of his formal education. 



I, therefore, urge that plans be made for a program of continuing 

 citizen education in science as the essential prerequisite for the citizen 

 action that will be needed in the years to come. The only alternative 

 is to relinquish the job to the experts, something which is unthinkable 

 in our democratic society. 



The task is admittedly tremendous, but we must face up to it if we 

 are to have the effective and intelligent citizen action which we need 

 on all aspects of the natural beauty program. 



Mrs. JEAN TOKAREFF. While large plans for parks, civic im- 

 provements and such are being developed, people need everyday 

 action. Just touched upon was the tremendous resource of men 

 and women volunteers who want a good life for their families and 

 their neighbors. The volunteers' contact is almost wholly with 

 individuals, families, and homes. 



Some volunteer groups, particularly youth groups (the Scouts, 

 Campfire, 4-H, and others) already have beauty, nature, out-of- 

 doors, and recreation in their programs. Others such as the music 

 and art societies, church groups, and service and fraternal groups 

 could adopt beauty as a project. The Parent-Teacher Associations 

 have well been named the largest volunteer organization in the world. 



I would suggest that a letter from Mrs. Johnson be distributed by 

 the millions to reach all citizens everywhere. This would be real 

 nurture for the home roots of the people. 



Dr. J. HAROLD SEVERAID. Sacramento County, Calif., has at least 

 three excellent examples of extremely effective citizen action groups. 

 In fact, the county won an honorable mention in the 1964 All- Amer- 

 ican City Awards competition because of it. They have SPARC 

 (Sacramento Planning and Research Committees) and SARA (the 

 Save The American River Association), both of which devote their 

 time to problems of the type discussed at this conference. The for- 

 mer tries to implement good planning of all types at all levels. The 



