The Illinois Audubon Society was organized as an independent, state-wide, educational and scientific organization, incorporated April 10, 1897, by the State of Illinois. The Society has no connection with the National Audubon Society, which was formed several years later.

The purpose of the Society is to promote the perpetuation and appreciation of native flora and fauna of Illinois and the habitats that support them. Fundamental to this end are the control of pollution, the conservation of energy and all natural resources, a sound ecological relationship between human populations and their environments, and the education and involvement of the public in such efforts.

Toward this purpose the Society will initiate, assist, and support programs that seek to protect our native plants and animals and their unique environments, and that serve to educate the public in their protection and appreciation.

1. To promote public awareness, knowledge, appreciation and enjoyment of birds, other wildlife and wildlife habitats.
2. To be a strong and influential voice in environmental affairs in Illinois.
3. To propose and support public programs which seek to protect, restore and enhance the natural environment.
4. To inform the membership and the general public of specific threats to the environment, and to recommend appropriate action.
5. To establish and maintain wildlife sanctuaries in Illinois.
6. To support the accumulation of long-term data on Illinois birds, to be used as an aid to their perpetuation and as an indicator of environmental quality.
7. To provide quality outdoor field experiences for members and the public.
8. To foster voluntary participation in all of the Society's activities.

IAS Structure
The Illinois Audubon Society is governed by a Board of Directors, consisting of 10 to 14 At-large members, chosen for the expertise which they can bring to the board and without regard to geographic locality, and a representative from each of the Chapters. The Board meets at least four times during each fiscal year. Day-to-day operations of the Society are managed by the Executive Director.

Office:
PO Box 2547
Springfield, IL 62708

(217) 544-BIRD
(217) 544-7433 (FAX)
E-mail: jskoglund@illinoisaudubon.org

IAS History

Like all of the early state Audubon Societies, IAS was formed to curtail the feather trade which was decimating colonies of herons, egrets, and terns. Early directors worked for the passage of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and began a large educational campaign concerning bird protection.

Mrs. Henry King was the first president of IAS, and organized early education campaigns for bird preservation, especially in the schools. Ruthven Deane, who followed her, was a personal friend of Teddy Roosevelt and William Brewster, and one of the "old guard" of the prestigious Nutthall Ornithological Club. He was followed, in turn, by Orpheus Moyer Schantz, a Chicago banker and ornithologist by avocation, who authored the first booklet on identifying Illinois birds for the Department of Conservation.

The Society worked with the A.O.U. and Wilson and Cooper's Ornithological Clubs to save the property of the great Illinois ornithologist Robert Ridgway, to serve as a memorial to his work. Rev. C.W.G. Eifrig, Lutheran minister and professor at Concordia, was the next president. During his tenure, the Society became affiliated with the Chicago Academy of Sciences. Alfred M. Bailey, Director of the CAS, and Margaret Morse Nice, well-known ornithologist, joined the Society's Board.

Dr. Reuben Strong took over the presidency in 1941. He was on the staff of the University of Chicago, and later founded the medical school at Loyola. He had done research at Woods Hole, Massachusetts, and was one of the founders of the Wilson Ornithological Club. In the early 1900s, he taught a popular course in birds at the U. of C., increasing interest in birds and birdwatching through his students.

During Dr. Strong's tenure, the Society moved its headquarters to Chicago's Field Museum. There is little doubt that the leadership of Dr. Strong, and his predecessors, and the fine directors they were able to recruit, gave the Society a solid foundation

Beginning in 1916, the Society began to publish field notes of bird sightings from around the state. Other articles involving birds and their occurrence, behavior, etc. were contributed by Margaret Morse Nice and many more prominent ornithologists, as well as astute amateurs of bird study. Over the years, the Audubon Bulletin evolved into the current magazine, Illinois Audubon, which offers a variety of articles on birds and other Illinois fauna, flora, geology, and so forth. The Society continues to publish data from the Illinois Spring Count and the many Christmas Bird Counts held around the state.

Why Should You Support The Illinois Audubon Society?

Projects which IAS has supported or fought against, as needed, from the 1960's to the present:

• IAS Objectives
  
  
• IAS Structure
  
  
• Contact Info
  
  
• Early History
  
  
• Why Support IAS? A History of Projects