THe, A UDU BION BULLETIN ) 
Conservation Notes 
By Dr. R. M. STRONG 
BURNS DITCH HARBOR PROPOSAL. Work is in progress on publicity con- 
cerning the importance of preserving the Indiana Dunes still not occupied 
by residences, industry, and the state park. An organization is being 
developed to awaken public interest in this project. Much depends on the 
amount of such interest that can be aroused. The people who have land 
to sell or other persons who hope to make money by the development of 
industry in this region are, of course, aggressive in their opposition to 
the preservation of this nature area. 
fl A fl 
ILLINOIS BEACH STATE PARK. The Governor’s Advisory Natural History 
Committee for Illinois Beach State Park has had frequent meetings re- 
cently, and the Illinois Dunes Preservation Association has also been at 
work. The Advisory Committee is integrated with the Association. The 
most pressing need is the acquirement of certain parcels of land which are 
needed to protect the sanctuary character of the south portion and to 
provide for safer roads to the park. The high level of Lake Michigan 
and recent storms have created problems. A subject that has received 
much attention is the provision for recreation without damage to the 
sanctuary character of that portion of the park south of the picnic and 
beach-house area. It is hoped that a naturalist may be provided at the 
park to conduct tours and give information on the natural history features 
of the dunes. We are happy to say that the state officials connected with 
the park project are sympathetic and cooperative. The chief problem 
is getting money to acquire additional land. 
au ey fi 
THEODORE ROOSEVELT ISLAND. An island in the Potomac River between 
Washington, D.C. and Arlington, Virginia, was purchased a number of 
years ago by the Roosevelt Memorial Association at a cost of $384,000.00. 
It was accepted by Congress as a national memorial sanctuary in honor 
of that great lover of birds and nature in general, Theodore Roosevelt, 
the 26th president of the United States. The deed was transferred to 
President Herbert Hoover in a White House ceremony in 19383. This island 
has ninety acres of unspoiled wilderness. 
The act of Congress in accepting the gift included the following words: 
“Said island shall hereafter be known as Roosevelt Island and shall be 
maintained and administered as a natural park for the recreation and 
enjoyment of the public: Provided that no general plan for the develop- 
ment of the island be adopted without the approval of the Roosevelt 
Memorial Association, and that as long as the association remains in 
existence, no development, inconsistent with the plan, be executed without 
the association’s consent.” 
The leading American architect, Frederick Lee Olmsted, spoke of the 
project as follows: ‘Covering most of the island, and constituting its 
dominant landscape feature, there should be developed steadily and pro- 
