The housing people, the highway, power-line and airport interests have moved through hundreds of communities; they have lawyers and researchers and public-relations men to present the strongest possible arguments for their version of what to do with the land. Too often the only opposition they meet is a band of hastily mobilized housewives and landowners, determined to protect their community but unequipped to debate the fine points. In fact, one of the favorite town-meeting tactics of the developers is to challenge the opposition to debate: they know they can grind opposing arguments to mincemeat.

I have found the best strategy for battle with these elements is to know the specific laws and tactics that are available to you and your local government for getting action.

I believe the vast majority of the people are on the side of conservationists but are unaware of the threatened damage. A conservation committee will receive far more publicity than an individual, since newspapers more readily accept statements from an official body. Mail snapshots to the papers with captions describing the tree about to he knocked down or the stream threatened by a proposed housing development.

According to my own experience, once the battle commences, even in a small way, most people will be behind you.