WHY THE PICKING OF FLOWERS IS FORBIDDEN
By Park Naturalist F. W. Schmoe

In Mount Rainier National Park we have millions of wild flowers. Naturally you wonder why we do not allow you to pick any of them.

We have enough flowers to provide every one of our thousands of visitors with a huge bouquet of lovely blossoms and there would be an ample supply left over - that is, for this season. Next season there would not be so many - and the next there would be comparatively few.

These Parks belong not only to us but to future generations. If we enjoy the flowers today without picking them they can enjoy them tomorrow.

It is the policy of the Park Service to maintain these great natural playgrounds in just as nearly as possible their original condition for all time to come, and I think we can hand down to future generations no finer heritage than these bits of unspoiled wilderness where nature has been lavish in her gifts of beautiful mountains, luxuriant forests and multi-colored wild flower fields.