2 THE A U"D.U BON BU Lele 
aware that many of his neighbors are working — through various organiza- 
tions — to protect the parks and all types of natural resources in this 
country, the citizen might then get the idea that he has an obligation — the 
obligation to mind his outdoor manners — and perhaps even the obligation 
to join one of those organizations and contribute to its support.” 
Mr. Callaway, who conducted a newspaper outdoor column for many years 
before joining the Conservation Department, said he found that a conser- 
vation story has to be “flashy” to get in print — it must either be a big 
story or have good, attention-catching pictures with it. He mentioned as 
an example the deaths of hundreds of shore birds on the cinder flats at the 
north end of Lake Calumet last fall. Stories about positive accomplishments 
in conservation all too often go unpublished. 
In a speaker-audience discussion it was pointed out that one problem is 
to get conservation news off the sports pages, where it is usually relegated. 
There were suggestions that those hoping to get publicity on a conservation 
problem or project should try to meet personally with news editors and 
point out the importance conservation has to everyone. The evening session 
closed with a color movie, “Waltonians in Action,” presented by Mr. Ed 
Cooney of the Izaak Walton League. 
Saturday morning’s program consisted of four simultaneous round table 
discussions, on conservation legislation, preservation of natural areas, con- 
servation publicity, and an inter-club bulletin. Reports on these were made 
to the entire group after an informal luncheon. Mr. Cooney, reporting on 
conservation legislation, said too many people fail to understand what good 
legislation is. It affects all groups, not just one. Among the topics discussed 
were stocking of lakes, pollution and flood control, and entry fees for Illinois 
State Parks. On the latter subject there would be no show of opposition if 
every park had the same arrangement, and income would be used for up- 
keep. The Governor recently appointed a commission to study the park 
situation, of which Mrs. E. E. Byerrum is a member. 
On taking the Conservation Department out of politics, Mr. Cooney said 
the last bill introduced into the Legislature was not adequate and failed to 
receive the support of conservationists. A lot of educational effort will be 
required for such a bill. On reclaiming strip mine sites, he said the executive 
secretary of the Coal Miners Association is working with the companies to 
avoid blemish. Both the miners and the companies prefer to do the job 
voluntarily rather than be required to post a bond that they will restore 
the sites. 
Mr. M. 8S. Gersbacher of the Illinois Nature Conservancy reported on 
preservation of natural areas. He mentioned a questionnaire from the 
Nature Conservancy on what remains to be done. On the Hennepin Canal 
there was legislation last year to dispose of the towpath. The Elgin Botanical 
Gardens are still endangered by the toll road. It was suggested that letters 
be written to Gov. Stratton asking that the toll road follow Route 72 and 
bypass Elgin to save the Gardens. In an effort to keep the University of 
Chicago from disposing of Bird Haven, the Ridgeway Nature Preserve near 
Olney, one should write to Chancellor Kimpton and Dr. Charles Olmstead 
of the department of botany of the university. 
