40 THE AUDUBON BULIU EAS 
teaching children about their natural environ- 
ment without using the word conservation. 
From the middle grades on up they are 
using the word conservation and putting the 
instructual program on a higher level. This 
has been done primarily through integra- 
tion in the various courses of the school cur- 
riculum. However, a number of high schools 
in the State offer at least a one year course 
and call it conservation of natural resources. 
In most of our schools the study of natural 
resources is conducted as a part of existing 
courses such as biology, earth science, the 
social sciences, and others. 
It is totally impossible to say how many 
teachers are participating in the program. 
The response has been exceedingly good. | 
presume that this question could only be 
answered in light of the answer which | 
have given to question number one. In 
elementary schools practically all students 
receive some instruction in this area. Many 
high schools, especially where conservation 
is a part of the science and social studies, 
the usual practice is to require such a unit 
of all students. Generally these are required 
courses. 
You asked how many hours are being de- 
voted to teaching conservation. Professional 
educators throughout the nation recommend 
that lessons pertaining to natural resources 
be offered at any appropriate time in any 
subject of the curriculum and do not rec- 
ommend a specific number of hours per 
week or per year. Opportunities frequently 
arise to develop concepts of conservation in 
all classrooms and we urge teachers to 
membership. 
A BEQUEST IN YOUR WILL... 
to the Illinois Audubon Society helps insure the continuance 
of the Society’s programs which you now support through your 
A SUGGESTED BEQUEST FORM: 
hereby give, devise, and bequeath to the Illinois Audubon 
Society, Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, IIl., 60605, 
and/or 1017 Burlington Ave., 
the sum of (dollars) (other gift as described here) to be used 
for the general purposes of said Society.” 
Downers Grove, Ill. 60515, 
take advantage of these opportunities. | 
our judgement the best teaching will 
done by that means. We believe that chi 
dren learn better by a living experien 
than by memorizing facts. 
You asked what the program consists o 
| believe that | have answered that in #t 
above paragraphs. However, | am not sui 
whether this question relates to the pr 
gram of administration by the State offi 
or to the program of instruction in tt 
schools. | have referred to both of the: 
topics briefly. 
| am sending you a copy of some mate! 
als on conservation education which we hay 
placed in the schools of our State and whi 
schools are using in developing a progra 
of instruction. | would call your attentic 
specifically to the Guideline and to the tw 
U.S.D.A. bulletins. 
We appreciate very much your promotic 
of conservation education. The Audubon $ 
ciety has been a leader in this movemer 
It is through the cooperation of the Socie 
and of many other groups that we are ge 
ting the job done. It is our hope that eve 
school district in our State, both public ar 
private, will soon have a well develope 
program of instruction. We are tremendou 
ly pleased with the response given by cc 
leges and universities and the local schoo) 
Sincerely yours, 
Robert M. Ring, Director 
Conservation Education | 
Office of the Superintendent 
of Public Instruction 
State of Illinois 
