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RIDGWAY: OUR SIXTH CHAPTER 
Dr. Robert Ridgway organized a Bird Club in 1925 for the young people of 
Olney, Illinois. In 1955, when a group of people interested in nature study, 
decided to organize a bird club it was right that the name was the Ridgway 
Bird Club. The Club was an Affiliate of Illinois Audubon Society. So, in 
March of 1968, when the members of the Ridgway Bird Club voted unanimously 
to become a chapter of the Illinois Audubon Society, it naturally became 
the Ridgway Chapter. 
The Chapter was accepted in April, 1968, as the sixth Chapter of Illinois 
Audubon Society. There were 17 members. One of these, Vera Shaw, is a life 
member of the Society. By the May meeting, 11 new members had been added 
through the work of Robert Bullard, who sent out form letters and "returne"1f 
interested" cards. He then followed up with a visit to those who returned 
the cards. With an additional 6 promised, we can say we've doubled our 
membership. 
Our activities as a Chapter will be the continuation of those we've had as 
an affiliated Club. However, as a Chapter we will be more active in state 
events. Nine of our members attended the Annual Meeting of the IAS at Decatur, 
May 3-4-5. The Christmas Bird Census is a pleasurable, though cold, day for 
the members. It is topped off by a Chili Supper, following which the tabula- 
tion count is made. The Spring Bird Walks through Ridgway's Bird Haven have 
been enjoyed by many people. The regular meeting is held the fourth Tuesday 
of each month at the Olney Central College. The main concern of all, right 
now, is the fate of Robert Ridgway's Bird Haven. 
Officers of the Ridgway Chapter are: President, Richard Thom; Vice-President, 
Mrs. Chester Scherer; Secretary, Mrs. Howard Shaw; Treasurer, Robert Bullard. 
All officers are residents of Olney, Illinois. 
We plan a joint meeting this Fall with the Lincoln Trail Chapter and hope 
that these two new chapters can help make Southeastern Illinois more know- 
ledgeable in nature study and more active in conservation. 
Mrs. Walter C. Bullard 
128 E. Pine St., Olney, Ill. 62450 
BURTON ATWOOD ELECTED TO CONSERVATION HALL OF FAME 
Burton H. Atwood of Crystal Lake was elected in July to the Conservation 
Hall of Fame. As a member of this select group he joins such notables as: 
Aldo Leoplold, Jay "Ding" Darling, Dr. Preston Bradley and Herbert Hoover. 
In 1962 Atwood was the recipient of the American Motors National Conservation 
Award for "his efforts toward protecting the wildlife of Alaska and solving 
controversies between government agencies, recreational interests and in- 
dustries which lead towards petroleum and timber developments sorely needed 
in the Alaskan economy." . 
In 1963 the Izaak Walton League presented him their conservation award for his 
work in developing methods of combating water pollution during the 7 years he 
served as general chairman of the Cook County Clean Streams committees. Atwood 
served as national secretary of the League from 1955 to 1961, and as treasurer 
from 1961 to 1966. Since 1955 he has been secretary of the League's Endowment, 
which has been involved in purchasing some 7,000 acres of land on the Minnesota-= 
Canadian border for ultimate inclusion in the Superior National Forest and 
Boundary Waters Canoe Area. 

