History of the Audubon Society
... specializing in zoology, he became a prominent early conservationist and student of Native American life. Members in the prototype Society were mainly the prominent and elite persons. For example Henry Ford, who was a passionate birder with a deep interest in natural history, became a member. He used his status in order to influence the president, and pass a bill for conserving birds and their habitat. They held parties and socialized amongst each other, making new friends with considerable influence and connections. Bird watching was a popular hobby at this time, but that was not the only reason there was a desire for laws to protect birds. Game hunting was also a popular sport and source of feathers for women’s hats. They were concerned that the killing of wildlife for products to be made and sold for profit, was going to wipe out the continent’s game animals.² Grinnell was an editor of a magazine named Forest and Stream. This was a magazine for sportsman and naturalists, and he used it as a way to help him channel the dissatisfaction of outdoorsman with disappearing habitats and dwindling game populations.³ In this magazine, Grinnell wrote an article and suggested people write in and sign a pledge against harming any bird. Close to 50,000 people responded. He wanted to create an organization of bird enthusiasts, but experienced difficulties because he could not meet the effort and expense needed to maintain the society. Finally, in 1896, help from a leading ornithologist organized a Massachusetts Audubon Society, and shortly after that, other states began to organize as well. In 1887, the first Audubon magazine was published and it offered annual subscriptions for fifty-cents. In 1898, the organized state groups were at the forefront of an effort in 1898 to pass through Congress, a bill that would have ended the importation, sale or shipment of bird plumes in the United States. Ironically, American Ornithologist’s Union refused to support the law because they thought the Audubon Society was trying to stop the collecting of birds and eggs by scientists as well as market hunters. The states opposed also, because they believed the bill was unconstitutional. Congress agreed and opposed the bill as an infringement on states rights and suggested if the law were passed, it would soon lead the federal government to make other encroachments on state authority. In 1900, a more successful Audubon supported bill was accepted by Congress and passed legislation. The bill was introduced by Congressman John F. Lacey of Iowa. It was called the Lacey Act of 1900 and made interstate traffic of illegally killing birds and animals a crime, and prohibited the importation of non-native species.² In the following 4 years, the state societies began to group together in a loose national federation, called the National Committee of Audubon Societies. They realized it was easier to propose bills at a federal level instead of going through each state. The first wildlife refuge was established in this time also, and the leaders were active in supporting it, financially and otherwise. The first years of operation provided the Wardens' salaries. The majority of money made for use in salaries and the like, were donations from members. In 1905, the Audubon Society incorporates and locates its headquarters in New York City, ironically inside a milliner trade building. William Dutcher, a prominent ornithologist, was chosen as the first president. Within its first year, an Audubon Warden hired to patrol wadi...