Forestry speech by May (Francis) Heath

Archive

-

Saugatuck Douglas Historical Society

Name/Title

Forestry speech by May (Francis) Heath

Entry/Object ID

2022.88.13

Scope and Content

Nineteen-page, handwritten text for a speech read at the Saugatuck Woman's Club on November 8, 1912. The text is written in longhand on the backs of D.A. Heath letterhead.

Context

At age 23, May Heath is said to have saved Saugatuck's Treaty Tree. (https://sdhistoricalsociety.org/Newsletter/2014/jul14/villagetales/tale11.htm) This speech, given when May was age 39, is another example of her advocating for trees, nature and the landscape.

Cataloged By

Winthers, Sally

Acquisition

Accession

2022.88

Acquisition Method

Found in Collection

Notes

According a note from Jim Schmiechen, the Forestry pages were found in the "archives drawer - museum some time ago."

Archive Details

Creator

Heath, May (Francis) 1873-1961

Location

Box

027 Heath, May

Condition

Overall Condition

Fair

Relationships

Related Person or Organization

Person or Organization

Saugatuck Woman's Club 1904-present

General Notes

Note

Partial transcript: Forestry Conservation of our natural resources is the most urgent question before our country today. Irrigation and Forestry are two problems to be solved immediately – they will be the great achievements of the 20th century. Because of our great recklessness in the devastation of our forests in this country, we are suffering, not only in missing the beauties of nature, but in the most direct results that are coming upon us in the absence of our wild flowers and various species of animals. Periodical floods; drying up of springs in summer; effects on crops; loss in woodworking industry; great advances in price of lumber; and the great sums our states are now willing to pay to redeem lands that they practically gave away years ago. But our great country is not discouraged. What has been grown can be grown again and by our reforestation methods the future generations of this whole country will be benefited. Conservation of forests means that forests shall be preserved, untouched, for the regulation of water flow and protection of soil; that the natural and historic wonders of our country be protected and made accessible, in fact that all our resources together with birds, fish and game's be kept from private monopolies and made subject to public control. This can be done only through education and as yet the great majority have almost no knowledge of the movement, although it does not seem that anyone needed any learning to know that forests protect the hills from washing and regulate the flow of streams. All one needs is common sense. Take for instance our little village and its surroundings; what would become of its summer popularity — of its beautiful Grandeur, of the dear little spring flowers hidden under the moss and leaves, which everyone so loves to gather and those autumn walks through the woods ...

Create Date

December 27, 2022

Update Date

December 27, 2022