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liB i.i::~'!V ticularly in the eastern half of the nation. The con- cern of those interested in forestry progress in the United States centers on the ability of wood to hold its own in competitiOn with wood products of other countries and in competition with substitute ma- terials. All primary processors are troubled with high and rising costs of getting the raw material to the processing point. Many loggers and primary processors have, by and large, failed to take part in the scientific revolution of the post World War II era."" Many remain uncon- vincedthat technology and techniques of operational analysis can be adopted profitably in a practical. manner. " .. ''<<f' We recommend: 1. . nat efforts to inform the public about forest conservation give greatest emphasis to potential ben~ efits-stressing the forest as a source of benefits to mankind, rather than defending forests as forests. 2, That a public relations council he formed to advise and assist in informing the public about con- servation of forest and related resources. 3. That continuing: recognition and support be given to the various programs of conservation edu- cation in schools and youth organizations; they are fulfilling a vital role in building public understanding of forest conservation.- 28 VI. land Ownership The American Fore:;;:try Association reaffirms its longstanding support of federal and state forests. As a general rule, it should be the national policy to leave in private ownership most forest land having reasonable prospect of effective management there- under; and to extend state or federal holdings for timber pmduction chiefly in land types not having. 'such prospects or where. there is need to complete: existing public units. Future federal purchases or exchanges should not block the extension of state forests or of sustained yield private management. Studies made by The American Forestry Associa- tion in the states of California, Minnesota, and North Carolina, relative to the ownership, use and man- agement of forest and related lands, clearly indicate the need in each state of (a) a gathering together of pertinent information, and - (b) a closer working re-. lationship between owners, public and private, rela- tive to the use and management of such lands. To clarify the status, responsibility and action as regards the use and management of forest and re.. laled lands- We recommend: 1. That a study, similar to those undertaken in California, Minnesota, and North Carolina, be made in each state. Each study should have as its objec- tives (a) defining a pattern of land ownership that will better meet the needs of the people of the state, and (b) the recommendation of policies (and where needed, legislation) that will assist landowners in coordinating their efforts to attain .this objective. 2. That an. active program of land exchange be- tween public .agencies or public and private owners. be initiated in order to consolidate forest holdings for more effective management, including better access. 3. That a comprehensive review of the public land .Iaws of the United States be made to determine whether and to what extent revisions thereof are necessary. These laws were developed - over a long period of years through a series of Acts of Congress not fully correlated with each other, and as a result some of them are inadequate to meet current and future needs of the American people. Furthermore, 29 We recommend: An educational program of high quality in all states where the survival of wood industries is vital to the forest economy. G. For the General Public Educational programs for the general public, dur- ing the past decade, have included a number of major efforts in different categories such as: educaw tion and advertising to promote appreciation of for- estry, to present interpretations of forest economy trends and needs, and to encourage an informed public opinion of industry and public programs; edu- cation in forest resource appreciation stressing the presen.t and potential importance of this resource to the welfare of the nation, state, community and in- dividual citizen; programs to secure specific response by the public primarily, but not exclusively, in re- source protection; education through schools and through yo:uth organizations, such as 4-:8; clubs, FF A chapters, and Boy Scouts to encourage resource appreciation and use. Certain programs such as the "Smokey Bear" carp.- 'paigq and the "Tree Farm" recognition. program have caught the attention and imagination of the American public. Yet there is no reason for com- placency about forestry's "public image." .Some opinion polls conducted in the decade 1953-1963 have revealed an ll1most shocking lack of accurate public knowledge of forestry. In addition, certain campaigns have involved over-simplification of mes- sage, with unfavorable reaction or lack ,of under- standing in regions where conditions and attitudes differ from those assumed in planning -a national campaign. Because such programsrequire weIl planned, large scale effort and the- use of expensive channels of mass communication, the resources availaqle from public and private sources Jar general public educa- tion are far too limited to permit unnecessary comw petition or duplication. Concentration and- coordinaw tion through some type of forest resource public relations and education council is long - overdue if the American public is to be adequately informed on the' situation, problems, and needs of the forest economy. ~~...~.:.:-:.:. .;;..~~.._~ i~~I~~~lJ. fi~~~~;"'A":l?";"l"* l{il:~~~J~s~~~ r~~"$'V'.'Z""".