The City Limits

Abstract

The city limits actual observation in the study of natural science. This is true in the consideration of earth science, stars, and plants and animals. The child or science student in an urban area does not have much opportunity to follow nature firsthand. Yet an entire class of Chicago Teachers College students has had the joy and scientific stimulus of communing intimately with nature inside a half circle whose radius extends only 10 to 20 miles from the Loop.* This has been made possible by the joint efforts of Dr. E. C. Colin of the college and Dr. David Thompson, senior naturalist of the Cook County Forest Preserve District. Chicago is in possession of, or has the use of, Lake Michigan, a magnificent park system with gardens, conservatories, museums, and zoos, and finally the extensive forest preserves. These like the other facilities are open to the publie, free, at all seasons, and for any reasonable use which is not contrary to the general interests or welfare. Of all these opportunities the forest preserves are the most usable for the study of natural history. This is true because the various accessible areas encompass all types of local habitats and wide areas are virtually undisturbed. Few exotic or strange biotic influences which might affect the ecological relationships have been deliberately introduced. With the consent of the dean of the college and the department of science an arrangement was made for the forest preserve district bus to convey college students on a series of Saturday field trips. These trips which lasted all day were conducted under the direction of Dr. Thompson accompanied by Dr. Colin. The bus driver was also a forest preserve naturalist. Lunch was carried by members of the party and the noon * The loop is the heart of the Chicago downtown district, libraries, shopping center, amusements, hotels and restaurants.