State Parks of Wisconsin 



Cambridge, Mass., 



9 January, 1909. 



The State Park Board, 

 Madison, Wisconsin. 

 Gentlemen — I present below my report on State Parks: 



I. JUSTIFICATION OF STATE PARKS 



To justify the State of Wisconsin in establishing a system of State 

 Parks, a clear and convincing statement should be presented as to 

 their purposes and value, and the reasons for their acquisition at this 

 time. 



No question before the American people today is of greater im- 

 portance than the conservation of our natural resources and the 

 preservation of all those means of health and happiness which 

 through selfishness or thoughtlessness are so likely to be destroyed. 

 "We declare our firm conviction," said the Governors of the States 

 in the recent White House Conference, "that this conservation of 

 our natural resources is a subject of transcendent importance, which 

 should engage unremittingly the attention of the Nation, the States 

 and the People in earnest cooperation. These natural resources in- 



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