[from March 2024 newsletter]

Doug Harr, president of the Iowa Audubon Society, recently received copies of some pages from Bird Lore magazine (an early publication started in 1899 by the original Audubon Society). The pages dated from 1899 to 1917. He shared these historical notes:

• Under the auspices of the Keokuk Woman’s Club, the Audubon Society of Iowa was organized April 5, 1898.
• In 1905, state membership was 1,100 adults and 20,142 juniors.
• The oldest bird conservation organization in Iowa was called the Schaller Society (before any Audubon Society). Both groups then worked together to protect more Iowa birds.
• In July of 1906, the Audubon Society of Iowa established its first headquarters in Waterloo, with women all as leaders of the organization.
• Audubon became a part of the larger General Federation of Women’s Clubs, which then pledged to stop the use of wild bird feathers.
• Audubon Society of Iowa did not require annual membership payments, but to first become a permanent member, adults could join for 25 cents and youth for 5 cents.