Seward Seaport Record

Isaac Walton League
Essay Contest Winner

In the Isaac Walton League essay contest which has been running since last December, six winners from Seward have been named. The judges of this contest were chosen from National Board of Directors of the Isaac Walton League in Chicago, IL

The first prize in the Seward contest goes to Miss Ruth Sword, second to Miss Winona Terry, and third to Forrest Johnson.

Consolation prize winners were: Richard Broshow, Sally Delaney, Mickie Muir, David Rose, and Dale Thomas. All these young people wrote on Wildlife Conservation in Alaska.

Here is Miss Sword's prize winning essay:

CONSERVATION IN ALASKA

"I believe the practice of conservation is a privilege given to everyone-young, old, rich and poor. It is a privilege, however, that is often abused, either intentionally or through lack of knowledge of the true facts. Conservation does not mean locking up our resources, but is wise planning of their use for present and future generations. Natural resources are the greatest asset any country can possess. Without an abundance of them, a country cannot be really strong.

Alaska is a great storehouse of natural resources. To develop Alaska, we must use these resources wisely. Alaska can profit by the mistakes other countries have made. We need to establish conservation measures now in order that these resources can be developed and used wisely.

Our forests are a source that can be replaced. Minerals cannot be reproduced, so when they are gone we must have something to take their place.

There is much to be enjoyed in the future if we take care of what we have now. These wonders of Nature were put here to enjoy--not destroy. In his carelessness and lack of planning for the future, man has almost destroyed the very thing that has been entrusted to his keeping.

Always, we must use our natural resources with-thought for the future. We must try to make our resources last longer and go farther. We, as students of today, will need forests, food, and minerals for tomorrow. Now is the time to insist on conservation, not wait until it is too late.

The natural resources of Alaska are its assurance of a great future. That is, of course, if wise conservation is practiced now.

The recent drastic cut in the salmon industry is an example of what can happen to a resource that is used up faster than it can reproduce. We must see to it that other resources in Alaska are not allowed to suffer the same fate. There is so much here to protect and we are the chosen custodians of this great land ours to enjoy, protect and conserve."

(Editor’s note: Miss Sword is an eighth grade pupil in the Seward school. She is 13 years of age.)