Kishwaukee Audubon Society Records (DeKalb)

Collection

Identifier: RHC-RC-107

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Kishwaukee Audubon Society Collection documents the establishment and history of a local environmental organization from 1960-1989. The society minutes (1960-1974) comprise a major series of the collection detailing business concerns such as treasurer's reports, membership data, publicity strategy, and plans for nature projects and field trips. The minutes also describe the club's educational presentations designed to familiarize members with environmental and conservation topics. Financial reports, membership lists, and committee reports supplement the data contained in the minutes. Club correspondence (1961-1974) contains additional information on meeting programs and the issues of conservation and pollution in DeKalb County. A second major series of the collection is a nearly complete set of monthly newsletters (1961-1989) comprehensively describing society projects including field trips, wildlife film series, environmental preservation programs, and nature lectures. A separate file of program announcements contains more detailed portrayals of society activities, particularly the seasonal wildlife film series. Researchers should note that by-laws and brief society histories, along with the photographs, provide helpful background data on the organization's origins and goals. The collection also includes general ecological education information supplied by local and state organizations as well as national public and private environmental agencies. The Kishwaukee Audubon Society Records provide a comprehensive illustration of a group of local people not only dedicated to learning more about nature, but also intensely concerned with preserving their surrounding natural environment.

Dates

created: 1960-1989
Other: Date acquired: 09/29/1980

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions on access to the collection.

Conditions Governing Use

Property rights in the collection are held by the Regional History Center; literary rights are dedicated to the public.

Biographical or Historical Information

Thirty-six members organized the Kishwaukee Audubon Society of DeKalb County on March 18, 1960 at Northern Illinois University. The group elected Mrs. Merle Minor, Mrs. William Southern, and Mrs. Verna Gogley as president, secretary, and treasurer, respectively. At its next meeting on April 4, 1960 the members adopted the society's by-laws declaring the goals as protection of wildlife, preservation of natural resources, and environmental education for both members and public. The society became a branch organization in 1966 allowing members to belong to the National Audubon Society as well as the Kishwaukee Society. During its history, the Kishwaukee Audubon Society pursued its goals by sponsoring various conservation and educational programs. In 1963, the group leased ninety acres of land north of DeKalb as a bird sanctuary. Until it was sold in 1972, the organization used the wildlife reserve for field trips and migration studies of more than sixty species of birds. A second major program was the seasonal wildlife film series featuring prominent guest speakers in conjunction with National Audubon Society nature films. This educational series, given twice a year, acted as a fund-raiser for the society. The Audubon group also provided a vital service to the surrounding agricultural community with its annual bird counts. The yearly bird tallies not only benefited members but also helped farmers recognize those predators controlling the rodent population on their farms. Since its organization, the Kishwaukee Audubon Society dealt with various environmental issues such as air and water pollution, recycling used materials, waste disposal, the use of DDT in local agriculture, and the energy crisis. Although interest in ecology and nature dwindled in the mid-1970's, the Kishwaukee Audubon Society still promotes interest in conservation and environmental control in DeKalb County.

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