THE EVOLUTION OF NATURE GUIDING 245 



the nature guide is to watch the ways of the bear 

 and to enjoy him. 



Some years ago in an editorial story in Country 

 Life in America I called attention to our need of 

 outdoor guides capable of arousing more interest 

 in natural history. In 1916 I discussed the same 

 idea, "Guides Wanted," in the Saturday Evening 

 Post. The type of guide wanted is the nature 

 guide. Nature guides are still needed but as yet 

 there is no regular place for this training. While 

 I have trained a few nature guides there appears 

 to be a need for a State University or a Founda- 

 tion regularly to develop nature guides. 



It is probable that nature guiding will become a 

 nation-wide and distinct profession, and, though 

 different, rank with the occupations of authors and 

 lecturers. 



A nature guide is a naturalist who can guide 

 others to the secrets of nature. Every plant and 

 animal, every stream and stone, has a number of 

 fascinating facts associated with it and about each 

 there are numberless stories. Beavers build houses, 

 bears play, birds have a summer and a winter home 

 thousands of miles apart, flowers have colour and 

 perfume — every species of life is fitted for a peculiar 

 life zone. The why of these things, how all came 

 about, are of interest. Touched by a nature guide 

 the wilderness of the outdoors becomes a wonder- 

 land. Then, ever after, wherever one goes afield he 

 enjoys the poetry of nature. This wonderland 



