The chairman then introduced the following questions which with the answers were as follows:

Question A. In what ways is the work of the ranger at the park entrance related to the educational activities within that park?

Answers: 1. He should be well informed about the park in general, about its most important scientific features, and about the educational service offered by the government, and should make every effort to reach the public with this information.

2. He should have at his disposal a copy of the park Manual of Information and other similar informational data.

3. He should have available and distribute circulars telling of the educational service offered within the park.

4. A weekly program of educational service offered should be placed in the hands of the checking ranger so that he will be in a position to tell visitors what “special events” will occur in the near future.

5. At places where the public has leisure (as, for example, when waiting on a controlled road), the ranger in charge should have exhibits illustrating local phenomena or certain portions of the park story; or, at other places, it may be possible to develop local exhibits in place.

6. In places where the public tarries and where there is sufficient parking space, there is a possibility of erecting small structures containing information about the educational program and exhibits pertaining to the park.

Question B. What part should the chief ranger’s office play in the educational program?

Answers: 1. The ranger on duty should announce activities of the educational program while checking auto camp tourists, and patrolling rangers should also announce the program while inspecting auto camps or on similar duty. Where possible the above should also distribute circulars, programs, etc.

2. The chief ranger’s office should, when possible, provide help in conducting technical surveys (mammals, birds, insects, etc.).

3. Rangers should cooperate in the writing or furnishing of data for Nature Notes.

4. The educational department should take an active pert in ranger conferences, providing whatever assistance is deemed by the chief ranger and superintendent as advisable.

5. The educational department should be of service in training rangers and other personnel and, conversely, the ranger naturalist personnel should receive basic training from the ranger department in case it becomes necessary for them to make arrests or serve in emergency.

Question C. What is the relation of the superintendent’s office to the educational service?

Answers: 1. The superintendent’s office is the chief point of liaison between the educational program and other departments of the parks.

2. The park naturalist, as head of his department, should be present at all staff meetings and should take an active interest in the affairs of other departments as well as his own.

3. Each member of the educational staff, including ranger naturalists, should have police powers which should be exercised when necessary, and the chief ranger’s office should cooperate in providing necessary training.

 

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