How did Audubon societies help protect gulls and terns?

In the latter half of the 19th century, gulls and terns faced severe population declines due to the commercial demand for their feathers, which were used to decorate women's hats. This practice of raiding breeding colonies in North America nearly extirpated several species.1

The newly formed Audubon societies played a critical role in reversing this trend by helping to arouse public opinion against the exploitation of these birds. These advocacy efforts were instrumental in securing legal protection for gulls, terns, and other species, effectively curbing the destructive trade that threatened their survival. Today, the National Audubon Society continues its mission of conservation by managing wildlife sanctuaries and protecting ecosystems essential for migratory birds.123