The North A inerican Conservation Congress. 65 



"We recognize as natural resources all materials available 

 for the use of man as means of life and welfare, including those 

 on the surface of the earth , like the soil and the waters ; those 

 below the surface, like the minerals; and those above the 

 surface, like the forests. We agree that these resources should 

 be developed, used and conserved for the future in the interests 

 of mankind, whose rights and duties to guard and control the 

 natural sources of life and welfare are inherent, perpetual, and 

 indefeasible. We agree that those resources which are neces- 

 saries of life should be regarded as public utilities, that their 

 ownership entails specific duties to the public, and that as far 

 as possible effective measures should be adopted to guard against 

 monopoly. 



Use and Management of Forests. 



"We recognize that the forests are indispensable to civiliza- 

 tion and public welfare. They furnish material for construction 

 and m.anufacture, and promote the habitability of the earth. 

 We regard the wise use, effective protection, especially from 

 fire, and prompt renewal of the forests on land best adapted to 

 such use, as a public necessity and hence a pubHc duty devolving 

 upon all forest owners alike, whether public, corporate or 

 individual. 



Forest Reserves. 



"We consider the creation of many and large forest reser- 

 vations and their permanent maintenance under Government 

 control absolutely essential to the public welfare. 



Forest Inventories. 



"We favor the early completion of inventories of forest 

 resources, in order to ascertain the available supply and the 

 rate of consumption and reproduction. 



Forestry Education. 



"We recommend the extension of technical education and 

 practical field instruction in forest conservation, afforestation, 

 and reforestation, so as to provide efficient forest offfcers whose 

 knowledge will be available for necessary pubhc information on 

 these subjects. 



Forest Taxation. 



"BeHeving that excessive taxation on standing timber 

 privately owned is a potent cause of forest destruction by increas- 

 ing the cost of maintaining growing forests, we agree in the 

 wisdom and justice of separating the taxation of timber land 

 from the taxation of the timber growing upon it, and adjusting 



