Audubon Society Celebrates 100 Years

Audubon Celebrates a Century Devoted to All Things Feathered

Thanks partly to a bunch of precious feathers and a fashion-conscious society that loved plumed hats, the birds of the world are living a little bit happier.

In the early 1900s, the great egret and snowy egret were in danger of extinction because their feathers at the time reportedly worth twice their weight in gold-were harvested excessively. A group of concerned conservationists soon took flight and won legal protection for the birds-helping to launch the National Audubon Society, which celebrated its 100th year in 2005.

Arizona chapters began forming about 50 years ago in Pima and Maricopa counties. Eight such chapters now exist aroundthe state, forming the regional backbone for Audubon's work in a state where bird observation and conservation are a high environmental priority-and big business. It's reported that birders spend more than $800 million in Arizona annually pursuing their passion.

Birds are like the canary in the mine-they're a barometer for the health of the entire environment, says Sam Campana, executive director of Audubon Arizona. She heads Audubon's Phoenix-located state organization, which opened in February 2002 and now has about 15,000 members.

Highlights of Audubon Arizona's activities, research areas and programs include:

The National Audubon Society Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch.

Near Elgin in southern Arizona, the 7,000-acre tract, which has excluded livestock since 1969, is a native plant and animal sanctuary devoted primarily to grassland research, according to Vashti "Tice" Supplee, a biologist and director of bird conservation, who oversees the Important Bird Area Program. Much of the ranchland was burned in a vast grass fire in 2002, but nearly all traces of the fire have disappeared, according to Campana, who says it has been restored to a condition "better than it was a hundred years ago." With prior appointment, the public may visit the ranch, considered a "signature" area of importance by the national organization.

Information: Research ranch, (540) 455-5522, or Audubon Arizona, (602) 468-6470; www. audubon.org/local/sanctuary /appleton/index.html.

The Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center.

At Central Avenue at the Salt River in Phoenix, the 4-acre educational center site adjacent to the Rio Salado Project hosts informative outdoor programs for the public, especially student groups. The center will open in 2008.

Information: Audubon Arizona, (602) 468-6470; http://az.audubon.org/.

The Important Bird Area (IBA) Program.

Twenty-six regions in the state have been designated as having special importance for birds. The areas are used to engage the public and private landowners in conservation, to promote habitat and to encourage partnerships for species protection.

Information: Audubon Arizona, (602) 468-6470; http://az.audubon.org/.

Arizona Watchlist 2004.

A list of 53 bird species including threatened or near-threatened is compiled to observe and monitor those needing protection.

Eight Chapters Statewide.

The work done by the society is mainly a local effort done on the chapter level.

Information: Audubon Arizona, (602) 468-6470; to contact individual chapters, see az.audubon.org/Chapters.html. To join: https://websvr. audubon.org/forms/updated/ new_order.html.

1905 The National Association of Audubon Societies is incorporated in New York State. William Dutcher is named first president. Guy Bradley, right, one of the first Audubon wardens, is murdered by game poachers in Florida.

1970 The first Earth Day held; Clean Air and National Environmental Policy Acts passed.

Audubon CENTENNIAL 100 YEARS OF CONSERVATION

1913-1918 Congress passes a landmark law placing all migratory birds under federal protection. Three years later President Woodrow Wilson re-signs law to include an international treaty provision between the U.S. and Canada.

1953 Audubon adopts a flying great egret, one of the chief victims of turn-of-the-century plume hunters, as its symbol.

1994 Bald eagle down-listed from endangered to threatened.

2005 The ivory-billed woodpecker, presumed extinct, is rediscovered in Cache-Lower White River National Wildlife Refuge in Arkansas.

In the early days of state Audubon societies, female members urged fellow socialites to stop wearing feathered hats.