THIRTIETH BIENNIAL REPORT 83 



8. A program of field investigations designed to furnish data relative 

 to life history and habits of game and nongame species and to the rela- 

 tion of birds to agriculture. 



9. In addition to serial publications there was issued a new series of 

 hand bills detailing the activities of the fish cultural department, of 

 game propagation, and a general one on the work of the division. 



LECTURES 



In order that more lasting results be obtained, effort has been 

 made to outline and to execute organized or continuous programs. 

 Several years ago a nature guide service was developed in Yosemite 

 National Park. More recently a school for the training of nature guides 

 and teachers of wild life conservation was established. At present a man 

 has been retained to plan and to organize suitable educational programs 

 for various associations. In addition to these major projects, the lec- 

 ture program has been greatly extended. One staff member, Mrs. 0. P. 

 Brownlow, has devoted her time to nature education in the elementary 

 schools. In the city of Oakland alone she visited 52 schools, gave 232 

 lectures to 13,759 pupils and teachers. As a result of this work Oak- 

 land is planning a nature study program based on the conservation of 

 natural resources. A lecturer systematically visited the elementary 

 schools of Ventura and Imperial counties. A fine response was secured 

 from foreign children who especially need conservation ideals. Another 

 staff member has regularly covered the fish and game protective associa- 

 tions, giving a series of lectures arranged by deputies. Materials and 

 speakers have been furnished for radio programs. 



As in the past, motion pictures have formed the main means of illus- 

 tration. More recently it has been possible to utilize study skins of 

 birds, suitably enclosed in celluloid tubes. Additional exhibit materials 

 are being prepared. 



A training course for boy scouts preparing to pass the merit badge 

 test in bird study and conservation has been given each fall for the 

 scouts of Piedmont and Berkeley. Plans are at this writing complete 

 for a wild life conservation camp for boy scouts to be located in 

 Yosemite National Park. A ten-day course of instruction will be given 

 which will include first-hand studies of game and fish. The expense 

 will be partially defrayed by the Division of Fish and Game. Series of 

 six fish and game lectures have been given each spring in a course in 

 Forestry I at the University of California. As a further training, the 

 class, divided into sections, has been given first-hand instruction in the 

 field. As these students spread throughout the state and into many 

 professions, this work has the merit of being fundamental and of being 

 the means of disseminating conservation ideas throughout the state. 



The biennium has shown a marked increase in demand for lectures by 

 service clubs and by the schools and by the Masonic lodges. In San 

 Francisco several of the latter inaugurated a "sportsmen's night," the 

 special features in each case being a lecture, illustrated with motion 

 pictures, delivered by a representative of the division and a banquet at 

 which a reindeer stew was served. 



Considerable aid in the educational program has been given by indi- 

 viduals outside of the Bureau of Education. Individual members of 

 the Commission, the executive officer, and Mr. Walter R. Welch have 

 given very valuable assistance. 



