Introduction

"Nature" is a big concept, as big as the universe yet involving every

minute particle of which we ourselves are made. Man was conceived

and raised in nature, and just as it is a part of us so shall we always

be part of it. Much of what is wrong with our environment has re-

sulted from our disregard of man's intimate relationship with nature.

Do not the more natural environments often seem closer to paradise

than the barely livable city-deserts we have created? To be sure,

much of what is right with our world is manmade, making our mod-

ern modes of existence possible and often enjoyable. But if man is

to survive physically and spiritually, we must find a better balance

between the artificial and the natural in our surroundings. To do so

will require "work."

Sun, air, water, rocks, soil, plants, and animals are our natural

heritage. We draw on them daily for our existence. Sometimes we

overdraw, and consequently our resources diminish. At other times

we do not make enough use of what is naturally available. We can

do better--and this book should help us find out how. Even though

it may not give easy answers, it should enable us to take a more

perceptive look at our natural and partly natural environments.

It should aid in figuring out good ways to use their natural compo-

nents to improve our corner of the world, be it a small yard, school-

ground, park, camp, nature center, estate, industrial site, or what-

ever.