Anything celebrating its 117th year is likely on to something. Few things last more than a lifetime, much less generations. For the 117th year in a row, the National Audubon Society is organizing its annual Christmas Bird Count. Beginning on Christmas Day in 1900, Dr. Frank M. Chapman, founder of Bird-Lore, which evolved into Audubon magazine, proposed a new holiday tradition that would count birds during the holidays rather than hunt them. Conservation was in its beginning stages in that era, and many hunters, observers and scientists were becoming concerned about declining bird populations. So began the Christmas Bird Count. The tradition continues and still manages to bring out the best in people.
Christmas Bird Count going strong at 117
Christmas Bird Count going strong at 117
Christmas Bird Count going strong at 117
Anything celebrating its 117th year is likely on to something. Few things last more than a lifetime, much less generations. For the 117th year in a row, the National Audubon Society is organizing its annual Christmas Bird Count. Beginning on Christmas Day in 1900, Dr. Frank M. Chapman, founder of Bird-Lore, which evolved into Audubon magazine, proposed a new holiday tradition that would count birds during the holidays rather than hunt them. Conservation was in its beginning stages in that era, and many hunters, observers and scientists were becoming concerned about declining bird populations. So began the Christmas Bird Count. The tradition continues and still manages to bring out the best in people.