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The Snowy Egret


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The Snowy Egret displays it's beautiful white plume during mating season to engage in courtship. These feathers became highly sought after for fashion accessories between the 18th and 19th century, used on woman's hats and corsages. These were very popular in London and New York. In 1886 their plume was worth twice the price of gold at $32 an ounce. Millions of these birds were ruthlessly hunted leaving orphaned hatchlings to die.


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The species nearly went extinct until two cousins in Boston Harriet Hemenway and Minna B. Hall took a stand. They were disturbed by the destruction left by the plume hunters and began encouraging other wealthy woman to avoid wearing fathered attire through a series of tea parties. Over 900 woman came together to support this cause. These meetings culminated in the founding of the Massachusetts Audubon Society in 1896. By 1901 The Audubon Model Law is passed, protecting water birds from plume hunting. By 1910 the Audubon Plumage Law was enacted by New York State Legislation prohibiting the sale or possession of feathers from protected bird species. In the years that followed the Audubon Society was a part of the The migratory Bird Treaty Act.


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Today there are over 140,000 Snowy Egrets in the United States. They don't have a voice so they need ours. Harriet Hemenway and Minna B. Hall became the voice which lead to an incredible organization that made a difference that continues to do so.

"The National Audubon Society protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow, throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation." The organization has local chapters all across the country. If this interested you please learn more and join a local chapter near you. Help save these beautiful defenseless beings.


Learn more about the National Audubon Society and find your local chapter below:




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