Americans: How to help Protect and Preserve vital resources

Americans you need to under stand that:

“The history of civilization is the history of’ hungry man in search of food. Conservation is the business of so managing our soil, water, and other gifts of nature that hungry man may-not search in vain” – J. N. Darling

MOTIVATION for Americans

Benefits that you may receive through the wise use and care of’ our priceless gifts of nature.

1. PRODUCTIVE SOIL: Wise use of land and proper soil protective measures will save and improve the fertility of our country.
2. MORE LUMBER: Your actions while in our forests can be helpful or harmful depending on how you use care and precaution in preventing forest fires.
3. FEWER FLOODS: A sound national water control program is necessary to decrease the waste and danger of’ disastrous floods.
4. CHEAPER FOOD: The price you pay for your rood is greatly influenced by its supply, which in turn is influenced by the farming methods and techniques used.
5. HAPPY PEOPLE: If you are well clothed, well fed, and well housed, your chances for being happy are greatly improved.

DIRECTIONS

How Americans can help to promote wise actions in resource conservation.

THE GOOD EARTH: How to help save and improve our nation’s soil

1. 1. 1. Terrace the soil with contour planting, trenches, and stop dams.
      2. Restore to the soil the vital elements that your plants and crops remove for their growth process.
      3. Plant grasses and trees on steep hillsides.
      4. Stop sheet erosion by using contour plowing.
      5. Lessen dust storms by strip cropping and growing trees to form windbreaks.
      6. Grow legumes to provide soil with nitrogen­ forming bacteria.
      7. Practice wise crop rotation.
      8. Gain the cooperation of dairy farmers and cattle and sheep ranchers, and see that they do not overgraze pasture lands.

Americans should help conserve our forests

1. Use lumber wisely and shrewdly when building.
2. Crush out cigarettes and matches thoroughly before tossing away.
3. Build fires only on cleared ground when camping.
4.  Never leave campfires burning.
5. Cooperate with the forest service program.
6. Support governmental and public agencies in replanting and reforestation projects.
7. Destroy the insect enemies of trees.

How to aid in conserving our water supply

1. Secure the maximum benefit from its use when watering lawns and shrubbery.
2. Keep faucets and plumbing equipment in good working order.
3. Avoid polluting streams and lakes when camping.
4. Seek your parents help in campaigning for a fair deal in the California-Arizona water dispute.

How to help conserve our American scarce animal friends

1. Provide favorable habitats for their growth.
2. Abide by regulations in hunting birds and other small games.
3. Treat them kindly when found in national parks and other game preserves.
4. Encourage helpful birds in your neighborhood by providing homes, food, and water.
5. Destroy the enemies of helpful animals.

ACTIVITY ASSIGNMENT: Projects that you can do to help save vital resources

1. FIELD WORK: Find a field near your school that is in need of conservation measures; perform needed projects for erosion stoppage and soil improvement; and outline and use best farming methods for fruitful production.
2.  FOREST WORK: Outline a sound program for selecting, cutting, obtaining, and caring for the young trees in lumber Determine whether or not this program is being adequately followed in your state and nation.
3. PICTURE FILE: Collect pictures of scarce animals and plants that are your friends. Map out a program that will restore them in plenty to American land. Com­pare your program with what is being done by federal, state, and local agencies.
4. SAND TABLE: Build mountains, fields, and valleys on a sand table and practice erosion control through the use of check dams, contour lines and gulleys, and plants, etc.