“MINIATURE FOREST RANGERS”

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 208, 28 May 1921, Page 9

“MINIATURE FOREST RANGERS”

CONGENIAL AND HEALTHY WORK FOR BOY SCOUTS.

Forestry was described by BrigadierGeneral A. W. Andrew at the Dominion Boy Scout Conference yesterday as a subject which offered a field for the actfr'lTies of the Boy Scouts. “You are aware,** he said, “that the Government is organising a. Forestry Department, which has for its objects the conservation of existing forests, the replacement of trees cut down, and the planting of new aria jxtensive areas with trees that will provide us with timber in the future. This very desirable work, which has been too long neglected in this Dominion, is now 'being taken in hand, and the head of the "Forestry Department quite rightly considers that our Scout organisation can be of great assistance in the matter.” Tile State Forest Service had brought under notice the co-operation of various branches of the Boy Scout organisation in America with the Forestry Departments in their respective States, end it considered that the movement was one of the most valuable agencies in the State for the elimination of forest fires. The Forestry Service sought the Dominion Scouts’ co-operation on a parallel with the plan carried out in Pennsylvania. “Your executive has promptly and cordially acquiesced in this proposal.” Brqjadierf-Gonevali Andrew continued. "We want our 25,060 boys to join in this work with zeal and enthusiasm. Wo want them to be practically taught to recognise the varieties of trees which are useful to the community, to be deeply impressed with the vita] importance of preventing their destruction, to realise the danger of bush fires, io assist in systematically inspecting the growing forests, and, in fact, to become miniature forest-rangers. "I am sure,” he said, "wo can rely upon you gentlemen, when you receive the executive’s instructions concerning the badges to be instituted and the qualifications required to take this matter up and to push it with sustained vigour, for by so doing you will bo performing a great public service to posterity.