16 THE AUDUBON BULLETIN 



Conservation and Forest Preserves 



Every movement for forest preservation is in the interest of bird life. 

 Every bit of landscape set aside for its natural beauty is accepted by the 

 birds for utilitarian purposes. They profit automatically by our enthusiasm 

 for undisturbed landscape, forest or prairie or marsh or dune. So the 

 following reports on conservation projects are of good cheer for bird lovers 

 although no mention is made of birds. 



Conservation Department of the Illinois Federation 



of Women's Clubs 



The work of the Conservation Department of the I. F. W. C. has 

 been very gratifying during the past year. In many places through the 

 efforts of Women's Clubs, Audubon societies have been formed in schools. 

 Prizes have been given for bird houses built by school children and great 

 interest has been shown. Bird houses are in evidence everywhere and that 

 the interest is bringing results is proven by the increase of song and 

 migratory birds, particularly in the southern part of the State. Vacant 

 lots have been secured by many clubs to be used for gardening. The 

 applicants were so numerous that it was sometimes impossible to supply 

 the demand. The work of protecting wild flowers has been pushed with 

 splendid results. Men and women as well as children have awakened to 

 the fact that wild flowers must be preserved for the future generations. 

 Many rural school yards and the roadside in front of the school houses 

 have been beautified during the summer, and trees have been planted along 

 many highways, which is a step toward Making Illinois Beautiful. 



Mrs. Charles W. Irion,. Chairman of Conservation I. F. W. C. 



The Conservation Council 



The Conservation Council was proposed at a meeting called by the 

 Chicago Chapter of the Wild Flower Preservation Society of America at 

 the City Club Dec. 9, 1914. Among those present were members of 

 societies and nature lovers including Dr. H. C. Cowles of the Geographic 

 Society, Thomas W. Allinson of the Prairie Club, O. M. Schantz of the 

 Audubon Society, Mrs. John Worthy and Mrs. Edward Reininger of the 

 Outdoor Art League, Mrs. Julius Rosenwald of the Friends of Our Native 

 Landscape, Mrs. Jean Ellis Driver of the Forestry Class of the Chicago 

 Woman's Club, Miss Lena M. McCauley of the Horticultural Society, 

 Mr. E. K. Warren of Warren's Woods, Three Oaks, Michigan, and the 

 hostesses Mrs. D. Harry Hammer, Mrs. F. W. Blocki, Mrs. A. A. 

 Michelson, Mrs. L. A. Walton, Mrs. C. F. Millspaugh, Miss Catherine 

 Mitchell, and Huron H. Smith and C. F. Millspaugh of the Wild Flower 

 Preservation Society. 



At a final organization meeting, the body assumed the name The Con- 

 servation Council, and the following objects set forth : namely, to serve 

 as a "Clearing House" for its component societies, assist their aims, act 

 in any matter requiring concerted action, hold property dedicated to 

 common interests, and refer to the society most interested any new motion 

 presented to the Council. 



