280 PUBLIC PARKS OF IOWA 



We who are so fortunate as to have our homes in beautiful, fertile, 

 prosperous Iowa, progressive in many ways, have lagged fair behind other 

 states in appreciation and care of our scenic beauties. Having also failed 

 to provide for the wholesome outdoor amusements and recreation so nec- 

 essary to the continued happiness and well being of any people, we are 

 already suffering because of our neglect. 



The obligation to change this short sighted and narrow ipolicy rests 

 with those who have had a broader vision and have come to realize the 

 gravity of the situation. Fortunately this number is rapidly increasing. 



The Greater Iowa Association, by its enthusiastic espousal of the cause 

 has given a wonderful impetus to the work in hand and much may be 

 expected from this influence in the future. 



Our clubwomen are showing great enthusiasm and readiness to work for 

 the success of our national park project which is naturally of the greatest 

 interest at the present time, though a study of conservation is developing 

 a new feeling of responsibility for the protection of all our natural re- 

 sources and beauties. 



Everywhere there is evidence of an awakening and we confidently 

 expect that all organizations and individuals having the welfare of our 

 beloved state at heart will rally to the support of this movement for a 

 more beautiful Iowa and a happier and more contented people. 



Viscount James Bryce, formerly British ambassador to the United 

 States, was a lover of nature and a believer in its preservation. He de- 

 livered an address before the American Civic Association concerning na- 

 tional parks as to the need of the future. In that address, Mr. Bryce ex- 

 pressed fully and clearly many of the ideals cherished by the women 

 of Iowa, who are striving toward the preservation of Iowa's scenic beauty. 



"There is only one thing better even than the city beautiful," said Mr. 

 Bryce, "and that is the country beautiful. 



"I have had a great deal of experience in England in dealing with 

 these questions; for some years I was chairman, and afterwards a 

 member, of a society for preserving commons and opea spaces and pub- 

 lic rights of way, and member of another society for securing to the 

 public places of national and historic interest, and in the course of 

 such membership I have been led often to think of what is our duty to the 

 future, and of the benefits which the preservation of places of natural 

 beauty may confer on the community. That is a problem which presents 

 itself, not only in Great Britain, but all over Europe, and what Europe is 

 now is that toward which you in America are tending. Europe is a 

 populous, overcrowded continent; you will some day be a populous and 

 ultimately perhaps even a crowded continent, and it is well to take a 

 thought at once, before the overcrowding comes on, as to how you will 

 deal with the difficulties which we have had to deal with in Europe, so 

 that you may learn as much as possible from our experience, and not 

 find too late that the beauty and solitude of nature have been snatched 

 from you by private individuals. 



"I need not descant upon that which the love of nature is and ought 

 to be to each and all of us. The love of nature is the very simplest and 

 best of those pleasures the power of enjoying which has been implanted 

 in us. It is the most easily accessible of pleasures, one which can never 



