One evening in 1904 W. Scott Way was in his Eucalyptus grove in Altadena when he heard gunshots ringing out. Going over to investigate he saw an express wagon piled high with mourning doves by hunters taking them to market. Outraged, Mr. Way vowed at that moment to form a society to protect native birds, discourage the wearing of feathers (very common at that time) and to educate the public and schools about the relation of birds to agriculture and the environment.
A notice was printed in the Pasadena Evening Star announcing the meeting which took place the following day, March 25, 1904, at the Chamber of Commerce on Colorado in Pasadena. Over 40 people showed up at that meeting. Mr. Way became the Secretary/Treasurer and Dr. Garrett Newkirk of Altadena, a noted ornithologist, became Chairman. Thus formed the first Audubon Society in California, known as the California Audubon Society until 1909, when the name was changed to Pasadena Audubon Society, to avoid confusion with others that had since formed in the state.
The Estate of the late Don Rogers is to be thanked for the materials in our Archive upon which this account is based.
Ira Blitz, Secretary
One evening in 1904 W. Scott Way was in his Eucalyptus grove in Altadena when he heard gunshots ringing out. Going over to investigate he saw an express wagon piled high with mourning doves by hunters taking them to market. Outraged, Mr. Way vowed at that moment to form a society to protect native birds, discourage the wearing of feathers (very common at that time) and to educate the public and schools about the relation of birds to agriculture and the environment.
A notice was printed in the Pasadena Evening Star announcing the meeting which took place the following day, March 25, 1904, at the Chamber of Commerce on Colorado in Pasadena. Over 40 people showed up at that meeting. Mr. Way became the Secretary/Treasurer and Dr. Garrett Newkirk of Altadena, a noted ornithologist, became Chairman. Thus formed the first Audubon Society in California, known as the California Audubon Society until 1909, when the name was changed to Pasadena Audubon Society, to avoid confusion with others that had since formed in the state.
The Estate of the late Don Rogers is to be thanked for the materials in our Archive upon which this account is based.
Ira Blitz, Secretary