{"value"=>"<p>The Nature Centers Planning Division was established by NAS in 1961 as a result of its acquisition (through merger) of Nature Centers for Young America, Inc., an organization founded in New York City in 1959 by Erard A. Mathiessen and John Ripley Forbes for the purpose of establishing educational centers for teaching children (and adults) about the world of nature and the principles of environmental conservation. The new division was created to coordinate NAS programs in the field of nature education for children. Nature Centers for Young America, Inc. was an offspring of the National Foundation for Junior Museums which John Ripley Forbes founded in 1952 in California. This organization in turn was originally incorporated in New York in 1945 by Forbes under the title William T. Hornaday Memorial Foundation.</p> <p>The files are arranged into four sub-series: B.3.D.1 Directors File; B.3.D.2. Nature Centers for Young America, Inc.; B.3.D.3. National Foundation for Junior Museums and the William T. Hornaday Memorial Foundation; B.3.D.4. School Nature League, Inc.</p>"}