OCR Text |
Show conservation awareness . . . .... something new? "The wanton waste of our natural resources the improvident drafts on Nature's storehouse, carried car-ried on for these many years by the voracious few and countenanced by the thoughtless many have at last been forcibly brougiht to the attention of the American people. Condemnation of this waste has found utterance in every section of the country, and scientific remedial measures are being developed in the great National and State Conservation movements move-ments . . ." "Rich with the gifts of Nature beyond any other section of the country, Utah should be deeply interested inter-ested in these movements. Fortunately, the ruthless hand of the public resource pillager has rested lightly light-ly on our State, and restoration is less a problem than conservation." Sound like a modern day prophet of gloom or an aroused citizen just learning the meaning of ecology and environment? These were the words of Governor William Spry of Utah in his preface to the First Biennial Report of the Utah Conservation Commission published in 1913. It is probable that few heeded his words or saw the need for conservation. Today, Governor Spry's words have even more meaning. Conservation, rest-operation, rest-operation, and protection are forced upon us. The only alternative is a deteriorating environment unfit for man or wildlife. |