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NEW GROUP TAKES CONSERVATION BATTLE TO COURT ROOM 
—— See COURT ROOM 
In October, 1967, a new organization was born to "encourage and Support the 
conservation of the natural resources of the United States of America". It 
was named the Environmental Defense Fund, and /it is incorporated as an 
"exempt organization". Nine members make up the Board of Itus tees. all of 
whom have full time positions outside the organization. The corporation is 
concerned with all types of environmental contamination and degradation, and 
chlorinated hydrocarbons have been its first problem tackled. 
Due to legal action on the part of the corporation, aerial application of 
nearly three tons of dieldrin in Michigan, near Lake Michigan, was stopped 
last November. When treatment was eventually carried out in ADE IL onl vy 
400 acres received it instead of the original 3,000. 
Other legal action in Michigan involved a suit against fifty-six Michigan 
towns planning to use DDT for Dutch elm disease. All fifty-six towns changed 
their minds before the suit was brought to court, and now plan to use 
methoxychlor, considered to be a much less hazardous spraying material from 
how on. In the meantime, Michigan State University has changed its recommen- 
dations to methoxychlor, 
mis the policy of EDF only to go somewhere on local invitation and with 
local support. A basic tenet of the corporation is that scientists should be 
vorrying about the quality of the environment, and should get involved in 
Sublic policy. It is the belief of the EDF that "litigation supported by 
scientific testimony represents the means for effective action where other 
heans have failed". 
x. Charles F. Wurster, Jr., chairman of the Scientists' Advisory Committee 
af EDF, has written a very effective letter addressed to Persons considering 
spraying for Dutch elm disease with DDT, telling of the hazards. If anyone 
jould like a copy, please write me. 
Mrs. Arthur M, Jens, Jr. 
22 W. 210 Stanton Rad. 
Glen Eliynye iil, 60137 

STATE MUSEUM PUBLISHES BOOK ON NATURE 
OEE ONE TURE 
Director Milton Thompson of the Illinois State Museum has recently 
announced the publication of "Essays on Nature", an anthology of 
articles by Virginia S. Bifert. The 275-page book contains more 
than 300 articles selected from the 26 volumes of the "Living Museum!", 
which Mrs. Bifert edited from 1939 until the time of her death in 
June 1966. 
Under such headings as ''The Seasons", "Trails and Flaces™, "Rivers", 
"Trees", "Flowers't, and the "Night Sky" these perceptive essays 
exemplify the many facets of nature about which Mrs. Eifert wrote so 
fluently. 
“Essays on Nature", which has been designated as a Sesquicentennial 
book, is available at bookstores and at the State Museum. Copies 
may be ordered from the Illinois State Museum Society for $3.50 plus 
2oC Sales, tax. 



