eres DUR ON BW Le. E TN 33 
somplete protection of the Redwood Creek watershed. The original Sierra 
“lub park proposal centered around this area. 
The National Parks Association not only advocates more acreage than 
3.2515 contains but also proposes the establishment of a redwood national 
‘orest through the use of managerial easements. In addition to a park 
which is a complete ecological unit, the Association desires a “buffer zone” 
national forest managed under a comprehensive socio-ecological forestry 
x9rogram for sound timber management, recreation and preservation of 
wildlife and scenery. 
With 40 acres of virgin redwood timber being cut each day, it is impera- 
ive that the national park be established now. Since a great deal of logging 
s on land to be included in the park, each day of delay is 40 acres less 
of virgin timber for the park. A “historical marker,’ lamenting former 
‘edwood groves and surrounded by tree stumps, will be but a poor substi- 
ute for the groves themselves. 
Once the national park is established, a new battle must be waged 
o preserve the wilderness values of the area. The state redwood parks 
1ave faced the threat of super-highways and the problems of through-traffic 
1ighways being routed through the park. Over-development of camp 
‘rounds and visitor facilities must be avoided, for their impact on the 
cology can be adverse as that of the highways. Construction of dams in 
he area must not be tolerated. 
We must all push the battle to preserve other wilderness tracts in that 
rea in addition to the 58,000 acres in Redwoods National Park. 
—391 Terra Cotta, Crystal Lake 
CHARLES O. DECKER 
We regret to announce that CHARLES O. DECKER, Honorary Vice- 
President of The Illinois Audubon Society for the past 15 years, died 
|} on September 6, 1968 in Evanston. He was in his 86th year. 
Mr. Decker held the distinction of the longest service as an officer 
of the Society, acting as Treasurer from 1928 to 1948. He also served 
| from 1939 to 1948 as Editor of THE AUDUBON BULLETIN, at first 
as an active member of a three-man editorial committee, and later 
as Managing Editor for more than seven years. He also made ar- 
| rangements for the then “Audubon Screen Tours” at the Museum. 
Both Mr. and Mrs. Decker participated actively in affairs of the 
Society. He published enthusiastic reports of the first Annual State- 
| wide Meeting in Havana, Illinois in 1940. After two years, these 
| meetings were curtailed by wartime gas rationing. When the member- 
| ship fell to a low ebb because of shortages and the war effort, Mr. 
| Decker willingly did double duty as an officer and director. He 
attended the Screen Tours for many years after his retirement, 
| sending articles and advice to those who succeeded him as Editor. 
| Following the death of his wife about six years ago, Mr. Decker 
| moved from Chicago to Evanston, spending his last years at the 
Presbyterian Home. 
— Paul H. Lobthk, 22W681 Tamarack, Glen Ellyn 
