Massachusetts Audubon Society

Massachusetts Audubon Society

Gordon Hall in Lincoln, Massachusetts
Formation 1896
Type Non-profit organization
Purpose Protecting the nature of Massachusetts
Headquarters Lincoln, Massachusetts
Coordinates 42°24′36″N 71°19′55″W / 42.409866°N 71.331850°W / 42.409866; -71.331850
Region served
Massachusetts
President
Gary Clayton
Main organ
Board of Directors
Website www.massaudubon.org

The Massachusetts Audubon Society, founded in 1896 by Harriet Hemenway and headquartered in Lincoln, Massachusetts, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to "Protecting the nature of Massachusetts." Mass Audubon is independent of the National Audubon Society, and in fact was founded earlier.

Mass Audubon works to protect the nature of Massachusetts for people and wildlife. Together with more than 100,000 members, we care for 35,000 acres of conservation land, provide school, camp, and other educational programs for 225,000 children and adults annually, and advocate for sound environmental policies at local, state, and federal levels. Founded in 1896 by two inspirational women who were committed to the protection of birds, Mass Audubon is now one of the largest and most prominent conservation organizations in New England. Today we are respected for our sound science, successful advocacy, and innovative approaches to connecting people and nature. Each year, our statewide network of wildlife sanctuaries welcomes nearly half a million visitors of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds and serves as the base for our work.

History

The Massachusetts Audubon Society (or Mass Audubon) was the born out of Harriet Hemenway's desire to stop the commercial slaughter of birds for women's ornamental hats. Hemenway and her cousin, Minna Hall, soon enlisted 900 women and formed a partnership with many from Boston's scientific community to form their organization. They named the organization the Massachusetts Audubon Society in honor of the bird painter John James Audubon. In 1905, a national committee of Audubon societies was developed. This committee was vital in passing the Migratory Bird Conservation Act in 1913 and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 with Great Britain. The passage of these measures effectively eliminated the commercial plume trade.[1] Mass Audubon’s first wildlife sanctuary, Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary in Sharon, Massachusetts, dates back to 1916 when the board accepts an offer of Sharon resident George Field to use his property as a bird sanctuary. Mass Audubon purchased the parcel in 1922.[2]

Wildlife sanctuaries

Mass Audubon's statewide network of wildlife sanctuaries, in 90 Massachusetts communities, welcomes visitors of all ages and is a home for more than 150 endangered and threatened native species.

References

External links

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