The mission of Amos Butler Audubon Society is “To promote the enjoyment and stewardship of birds of Central Indiana.” The Amos Butler Audubon Society Board is discussing an important issue regarding the name of our organization as a way to ensure we are living up to our mission. We are gathering information to determine next steps.
Our namesake, Amos Butler, is widely considered to be one of Indiana’s greatest naturalists. In 1890 he published The Birds of Indiana and is considered the “Father of Indiana Ornithology.” Amos Butler was a part of the American Eugenics Movement, advocating for forced sterilization.
Our other namesake, John James Audubon, was a famous naturalist and illustrator whose paintings and illustrations contributed greatly to the field of ornithology in the mid-nineteenth century. He was an enslaver, wrote prominently in defense of slavery, and committed plagiarism.
Today more than 100 years later, we are called to re-examine Amos Butler’s and John James Audubon’s legacies through a different lens. Given their complex legacies, the Board is initiating a process to consider whether the organization should change its name to remove the names Amos Butler and John James Audubon.
The board appreciates your insight and will use this information to drive our discussions as we work to ensure that we continue to live up to our mission. This survey is not considered a vote; but rather a chance for the board to gain insight about this topic from the community. No matter what is decided regarding a name change, we aim to:
*Partner with and engage communities who are not historically represented within our community;
*Discuss ways to expand diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging within and outside of our organization;
*Note the achievements as well as the problematic legacies, of the namesakes on our website to promote awareness of the inequalities within the conservation movement.
Thank you for your time and consideration.