Cover picture by George Olin.
Cactus Forest Drive
SAGUARO NATIONAL MONUMENT
18 Miles East of Tucson, Arizona
15¢
NATIONAL PARKS AND MONUMENTS
Saguaro National Monument is one of more than 175 units administeredby the National Park Service, U. S. Department of theInterior. They include such outstanding scenic areas as Grand Canyonand Yosemite National Parks and other Parks and Monumentsset aside for their scenic, scientific, historic or archeologic values.These superb areas are yours and are a part of your heritage asAmerican citizens.
The National Park Service has the job of preserving the Parksand Monuments in their natural, unspoiled condition and of makingthem available for your enjoyment in such a manner as to leave themunimpaired for the inspiration of future generations. To achieve thishigh purpose it has been necessary to prohibit such activities aswoodcutting, hunting, grazing, mining and even flower-picking. Themen in the uniform of the National Park Service are here to serveyou, and will welcome the opportunity to make your stay at SaguaroNational Monument more enjoyable.
We hope you will cooperate with us “by taking only pictures andinspiration and leaving only footprints and goodwill.”
TIPS TO PHOTOGRAPHERS
Photographers will note that several trails have been laid out fortheir convenience. These lead to particularly fine specimens andgroups of Saguaros, but have not been developed as permanent trails.They are merely guides to the better photographic locations.
The best time to photograph the Cactus Forest is late in the afternoonwhen the lengthening shadows make the cactus stand out inbold relief. Excellent views of the forest, with the Santa CatalinaMountains in the background, may be had from the hilltops as youdrive north on the loop road. The Arizona sun is brighter than youthink, so use a light meter.
CONSERVATION—CAN A LAYMAN HELP?
If you are interested in the work of the National Park Service andin the cause of conservation in general, you can give active expressionof this interest, and lend support by aligning yourself with one of thenumerous conservation organizations which act as spokesmen forthose who wish our scenic heritage to be kept unimpaired for the enjoymentof future generations.
Names and addresses of conservation organizations may be obtainedfrom the ranger.
KEEP AMERICA BEAUTIFUL
Ray Manley photo
THE NATIONAL MONUMENT
In 1933 President Herbert Hoover by presidential proclamationcreated Saguaro National Monument. Within its boundaries isfound the magnificent forest of mature Saguaros that is recognized asthe finest stand of this great cactus in the United States. It is oneof the few National Monuments dedicated to the protection and preservationof a native plant species.
It is also one of the most diversified of our National Monuments.With an altitudinal range of over 5,000 feet its 63,000-acre areaencompasses the peaks of two mountain ranges. Against this backgroundof towering mountains the cactus forest is