PBC History: Into the New Millenium
Surprisingly, the Piedmont Bird Club owes its existence to cats. A group of UNC-G (formerly Greensboro Women’s College) professors, concerned for the welfare of wild birds, attempted to get a city ordinance passed to control the depredations of wild birds by cats. The City would only consider petitions from organizations, and so in February 1938 the Piedmont Bird Club was formed.
The early years focused on education and were very productive. The Club worked with the Guilford County School System organizing bird house contests and donating educational materials. And from 1955-1981, in conjunction with the National Audubon Society, the Club sponsored the presentation of the highly popular Audubon Wildlife Films, available to the community. These were narrated by expert naturalists and famous cinematographers from across the country.
The early years focused on education and were very productive. The Club worked with the Guilford County School System organizing bird house contests and donating educational materials. And from 1955-1981, in conjunction with the National Audubon Society, the Club sponsored the presentation of the highly popular Audubon Wildlife Films, available to the community. These were narrated by expert naturalists and famous cinematographers from across the country.
Shortly after its founding the Club played host to the Carolina Bird Club and was instrumental in designating Greensboro as a Bird Sanctuary.
From its inception, the Piedmont Bird Club has incorporated field trips, social events, and educational activities into its very fiber. Bird watchers have roamed the environs of the Triad working on life lists, collecting statistical data, or just for pure enjoyment. The Spring and Fall Picnics and the Holiday Dinner have encouraged fellowship while quality speakers from near and far have enhanced our educational programs. A legacy of commitment to preserving the environment has been passed on to its current members.
Modern technology has changed much of the way the Club operates. Streetcar rides to birding sites have given way to road trips to expand our explorations.
From its inception, the Piedmont Bird Club has incorporated field trips, social events, and educational activities into its very fiber. Bird watchers have roamed the environs of the Triad working on life lists, collecting statistical data, or just for pure enjoyment. The Spring and Fall Picnics and the Holiday Dinner have encouraged fellowship while quality speakers from near and far have enhanced our educational programs. A legacy of commitment to preserving the environment has been passed on to its current members.
Modern technology has changed much of the way the Club operates. Streetcar rides to birding sites have given way to road trips to expand our explorations.
Phone lists are supplemented by email listserv, and field guides, maps and photos can be in your pocket 24/7 via your cell phone.
However today’s activities and goals remain much the same. Dedicated members continue to support the Club in its efforts to foster an appreciation, understanding, and enjoyment of birds, wildlife, and nature in general, in hopes that we and future generations will always be able to delight in the music of birdsong.
However today’s activities and goals remain much the same. Dedicated members continue to support the Club in its efforts to foster an appreciation, understanding, and enjoyment of birds, wildlife, and nature in general, in hopes that we and future generations will always be able to delight in the music of birdsong.
PBC HISTORY: INTO THE NEW MILLENNIUM
The first PBC history was compiled by Etta Schiffman in 1973. It detailed club activities from its inception in 1938. Grace Draper put together a continuation of that work in 1988, as a 50-year anniversary edition.
A few excerpts from 1973 history include:
“Some of you may be surprised to learn that our club began as an anti-cat club. … a group of earnest citizens, concerned by the depredations by cats on the bird population, …approached the city council to see if something could be done by a city ordinance to stop, or… control the depredations. They were told that only protests by an organized group would be considered.”
“And guess what the club dues were at that time -fifty cents! Undoubtedly the biggest bargain in Guilford County.”
Club guests and speakers over the years included Ernest Thompson Seton, the famed naturalist and writer, Mr. T. Gilbert Pearson, and Roger Tory Peterson.
“In 1942 we also held our first Christmas count. The tabulation of that first count was made in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Swart, who provided a delicious waffle supper prior to the tabulation.”
In the early 40’s when gas was rationed because of the war, field trips involved a lot more walking.
“The following is an excerpt from the Greensboro Record of February 25, 1943. ‘The field trip chairman announced the first trip of the New Year for Sunday, February 28, at 2:30 p.m., starting at Apple's Store on Asheboro Street. The group will take the bus to the store, and ride bicycles from there to Sharpe's Lake.’ Well, just plain old shank's mare turned out to be a good substitute for bicycles, not only on that trip, but on many subsequent ones.”
In 1945, a “Most important event was having Greensboro declared a bird sanctuary through a city ordinance, the culmination of plans started the year before… A proclamation of Greensboro as a bird sanctuary was made by a city official.”
The 1988 history compiled by Grace Draper mentions the presentation of the Audubon Wildlife Films from 1955-1981.
“Subjects of the films were varied: nature, travel, bird and other animal life, with narration by experts in the fields or those who had produced the films. Among these have been Roger Tory Peterson and Allen Cruikshank.” She also details some of the honors and wards to a number of club members for various services to the community, that the club donated funds to the Natural Science Center, and scholarships to sent students to Audubon Nature camps, and a list of many trips and expeditions, both local and farther away.
Other notable events since then include:
Etta Shiffman’s history ended with this paragraph, which is as fitting now (in our 75th year) as it was then:
“Finally, I could wish nothing better for the Piedmont Bird Club than a future as bright as the past. Some of us may not be around to celebrate its golden anniversary in 1988, but when that great day comes, may its members still be able to look back on a club that has never faltered in striving to achieve a conservation oriented community that appreciates the value and importance of our birds, animals, plants, soil, and all of our other natural resources.”
A few excerpts from 1973 history include:
“Some of you may be surprised to learn that our club began as an anti-cat club. … a group of earnest citizens, concerned by the depredations by cats on the bird population, …approached the city council to see if something could be done by a city ordinance to stop, or… control the depredations. They were told that only protests by an organized group would be considered.”
“And guess what the club dues were at that time -fifty cents! Undoubtedly the biggest bargain in Guilford County.”
Club guests and speakers over the years included Ernest Thompson Seton, the famed naturalist and writer, Mr. T. Gilbert Pearson, and Roger Tory Peterson.
“In 1942 we also held our first Christmas count. The tabulation of that first count was made in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Swart, who provided a delicious waffle supper prior to the tabulation.”
In the early 40’s when gas was rationed because of the war, field trips involved a lot more walking.
“The following is an excerpt from the Greensboro Record of February 25, 1943. ‘The field trip chairman announced the first trip of the New Year for Sunday, February 28, at 2:30 p.m., starting at Apple's Store on Asheboro Street. The group will take the bus to the store, and ride bicycles from there to Sharpe's Lake.’ Well, just plain old shank's mare turned out to be a good substitute for bicycles, not only on that trip, but on many subsequent ones.”
In 1945, a “Most important event was having Greensboro declared a bird sanctuary through a city ordinance, the culmination of plans started the year before… A proclamation of Greensboro as a bird sanctuary was made by a city official.”
The 1988 history compiled by Grace Draper mentions the presentation of the Audubon Wildlife Films from 1955-1981.
“Subjects of the films were varied: nature, travel, bird and other animal life, with narration by experts in the fields or those who had produced the films. Among these have been Roger Tory Peterson and Allen Cruikshank.” She also details some of the honors and wards to a number of club members for various services to the community, that the club donated funds to the Natural Science Center, and scholarships to sent students to Audubon Nature camps, and a list of many trips and expeditions, both local and farther away.
Other notable events since then include:
- Dennis Burnette, president in 1989, started the Adopt-a-Highway program, when the bird club took on the job of picking up highway trash on a section of Yanceyville Road.
- According to an article in the PBC newsletter, Aug 20, 1990, the PBC bird counting team won a “Birdathon” in May, beating the T. Gilbert Pearson Audubon Society’s team by 3 species, with 106 sp. This event raised money for the Piedmont Land conservancy and the Beidler Forest Wildlife Refuge in SC.
- From the PBC newsletter Feb., 1991: Jan 31- Greensboro city council annexed the city lakes into the Bird Sanctuary. PBC members Jean McCoy, Henry Link, Emily Tyler and Judie Underkoffler made special efforts in terms of letter writing and speaking before City Council and Parks and Recreation Commission.
- 1997- PBC enters the cyber world with a website, established by Charlie Campbell.
- In 2000, the club traded in the Adopt-a-Highway participation for a new project, Adopt-A-Park, in which it takes care of the Bluebird houses and picking up trash at Country Park off Lawndale.
Etta Shiffman’s history ended with this paragraph, which is as fitting now (in our 75th year) as it was then:
“Finally, I could wish nothing better for the Piedmont Bird Club than a future as bright as the past. Some of us may not be around to celebrate its golden anniversary in 1988, but when that great day comes, may its members still be able to look back on a club that has never faltered in striving to achieve a conservation oriented community that appreciates the value and importance of our birds, animals, plants, soil, and all of our other natural resources.”