212 PUBLIC PARKS OF IOWA 



descendants in the hope that we may accomplish something ultimately 

 for Story county history, though the way seems long and hard and it may 

 be many years before those who have been working faithfully the past 

 four years see the vision become a reality. 



Then here's to the pioneer so brave. 



To the pioneer with his will of iron strength 

 Who traveled the road of unknown fate 



To the end of its weary length. 

 Here's to the pioneer who grimly faced 



Grim stalking .death by Indians, beasts, and the elements, 

 O Pioneer ! We bow to you 



With hearts full of love and reverence. 



CONSERVING OUR BIRTHRIGHT. 

 By Zellah M. Schermerhorn, Ph. D. 



In this age of specialization, all effort seems to have been directed 

 toward the increase of efficiency. 



Everywhere you look efficiency is the one word posted and every- 

 where you seek you find all effort devoted to acquiring greater and still 

 greater efficiency. 



Manual training, economics, business courses have become an intrin- 

 sic part of the curriculae of all our graded and high schools, our univer- 

 sities and colleges. 



Our great leaders and teachers have recognized the fact that the mind 

 of man longest retains the impressions and lessons of youth, and the 

 lesson of greater efficiency has become the basis qf our education. 



But there is one field which has been sadly neglected, and that field 

 contains more powers for greater efficiency than all the others com- 

 bined, nature and nature studies. A field planted by God's own hand and 

 given over to man's dominion. That field of bluff and crag, of trees and 

 shrubs, of flowers and grass, of feathered, furred and finny creatures, all 

 playing a specific part in the general plan of life, all having a direct 

 bearing upon the past, present and future life of man. All our inherited 

 birthright; all ours; not ours to destroy and exterminate, but to preserve 

 and to use. 



Each unit of all creation has its own specific meaning, use and message, 

 but we have not taken the trouble to interpret and thus to know and 

 properly use our birthright. 



In the great out-doors there lies wonderful unwritten histories of the 

 past, great assistance for the present, grave warnings for the future, and 

 we pass them by. We do not think it worth while to gather knowledge 

 of these things close at hand because we have never sought their lesson 

 and their use. 



The naturalist, the botanist, the geologist, the ornithologist have been 

 the butt of the rude humor of the ignorant for many long years and yet, 



