Special Collections Department
403 Parks Library
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-2140
MS 592
Big Bluestem Audubon Society
Records, 1959-[ongoing]
Descriptive summary
| creator: | Big Bluestem Audubon Society |
| title: | Records |
| dates: | 1959-[ongoing] |
| extent: | 1.68 linear feet (4 document boxes) |
| collection number: | MS 592 |
| repository: | Special Collections Department, Iowa State University. |
Administrative information
| access: | Open for research |
| publication rights: | Consult Head, Special Collections Department |
| preferred citation: | Big Bluestem Audubon Society Records, MS 592, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University Library. |
Abstract
The Ames Audubon Society, which is affiliated with the National Audubon Society, was established on June 1, 1968. In March 1982 the organization's name was changed to the Big Bluestem Audubon Society. The objectives of the society are to enjoy and study wildlife, plants and the many other facets of nature in order to gain a broader understanding and a deeper appreciation of our environment and to encourage others to do likewise; and to engage in educational and similar activities, such a sponsoring public lectures, forums, discussion groups, and reports on research relating to the conservation of wildlife, other natural resources, and the quality of our natural environment. The collection (1959-[ongoing]) includes administrative files containing correspondence, financial reports, newspaper clippings, histories, meeting minutes and newsletters. Documents related to the Audubon Adventures Program, which promoted conservation and wildlife education to elementary schools, are also contained in this collection. |
Historical note
The Ames Audubon Society met for the first time on April 25, 1968 in Kildee Hall on the Iowa State University campus, and was affiliated with the National Audubon Society for a year trial basis. At the second meeting on May 7, 1968 the membership decided to designate the society's affiliation date as June 1, 1968. The society continued as the Ames Audubon Society until March 1982 when the National Chapter approved their Application for Chapter Status. At that time the name of the organization was changed to the Big Bluestem Audubon Society. The objectives of the society are to enjoy and study birds, other wildlife, plants and the many other facets of nature in order to gain a broader understanding and a deeper appreciation of the world we live in and to encourage others to do likewise; and to engage in educational and similar activities, such a sponsoring public lectures, forums, discussion groups, and reports on research relating to the conservation of wildlife, other natural resources, and the quality of our natural environment. |
Collection description
The collection (1959-[ongoing]) documents the activities of the Big Bluestem Audubon Society based in Ames, Iowa. Included are administrative files containing correspondence, financial reports, newspaper clippings, and other historical and organizational materials. The records also include meeting minutes and newsletters. Documents related to the Audubon Adventures Program, which promoted conservation and wildlife education to elementary schools, are also contained in this collection. |
Organization
The collection is organized into four series: |
Description of series
| Series 1 | Administrative files |
1959-[ongoing] |
| extent: | 1.05 linear feet |
|
| description: | This series contains administrative files including correspondence, directories, histories, newspaper clippings, and organizational documents. This series also contains information on several of the programs sponsored by the group along with local plant listings and bird counts. The series is arranged alphabetically. |
|
Container list
Box |
Folder |
Title |
Dates |
4 |
4 |
Ames Christmas Bird Count |
1996 |
2 |
8 |
Ames Christmas Bird Count |
2003-2008 |
4 |
13 |
Ames Christmas Bird Count |
2009-2013 |
3 |
14 |
Ames Conservation Council |
1968-1971, undated |
1 |
2 |
Ann Munn Heritage Woods: Plant list, newspaper clippings, and maps |
1992, undated |
1 |
3 |
Audubon Sanctuary Directory |
1990 |
4 |
27 |
Audubon Trail (Brookside Park recreational trails) |
1996-1997 |
2 |
11 |
Audubon wildlife film showings: Correspondence and publicity |
1968-1972, undated |
4 |
6 |
Backyard habitat tour |
2007 |
2 |
12 |
Bird species identification survey flyer |
circa 1970 |
2 |
13 |
Birding areas of Story County and bird lists |
1970-1972 |
2 |
14 |
Boone County Christmas Bird Count: Correspondence and forms |
2002-2011 |
1 |
5 |
Boone County Christmas Bird Count: Correspondence and participant list |
1992-1997, undated |
4 |
25 |
Brochure |
1990 circa |
2 |
15 |
Brookside Park, Ames: Audubon nature trail guides |
1970, undated |
4 |
28 |
Budgets |
1998-1999 |
| 4 | 34 | Budget correspondence | 2013 |
1 |
6 |
Check List of the Birds of Story County, Iowa |
1970 |
| 4 | 35 | Checklist of the mammals of Iowa | undated |
1 |
4 |
Constitution and By-laws |
1982-1987 |
4 |
7 |
Constitution and By-laws |
2002 |
1 |
1 |
Constitutions, Articles of Incorporation, and IRS status |
1969-1970, undated |
1 |
7 |
Correspondence |
1969-1977, undated |
1 |
8 |
Correspondence |
1998-2004 |
2 |
10 |
Correspondence |
2005-2007 |
4 |
2 |
Correspondence |
2008-2009 |
4 |
14 |
Correspondence |
2010-2011 |
4 |
22 |
Correspondence to politicians |
1986-1995 |
4 |
5 |
Correspondence: Sponsoring roadside plantings |
1983-1984 |
3 |
15 |
Des Moines Audubon Society: Polk County bird checklist |
1959 |
4 |
26 |
Events calendars |
1990-2002 |
1 |
9 |
Financial report |
1968-1969 |
1 |
10 |
Flyers and brochures |
1968-2007, undated |
3 |
13 |
Hendrickson Marsh (1- 5x7 b/w photograph) |
1974 |
1 |
11 |
History |
1969, 1998 |
2 |
7 |
History: Past presidents (1- 3.5x5 color photograph) |
1998 |
2 |
16 |
Iowa Audubon Council meeting in Ames: Program |
1970 |
1 |
12 |
Iowa Bluebird Directory, Bluebird Recovery Program |
1990 |
2 |
17 |
John Madson Benefit Lecture: Correspondence and lecture |
1973-1974 |
4 |
23 |
Members |
1987 |
4 |
29 |
Members: obituaries |
2011 |
2 |
18 |
Membership information |
1968, undated |
2 |
19 |
Membership list |
1970 |
1 |
13 |
News clippings |
1968-2009, undated |
4 |
20 |
News clippings |
2010-2011 |
4 |
8 |
Officers list, 1984-2003 |
2003 circa |
1 |
14 |
Original artwork for newsletter |
1986 |
1 |
15 |
Programs |
1976-1977 |
1 |
16 |
Proposed Ames Reservoir on the Skunk River North of Ames, Iowa: Correspondence and self-guided tour of the area |
1970-1974 |
4 |
9 |
Recurring task calendar |
2002 circa |
1 |
17 |
Saylorville Reservoir: Correspondence and campaign to "Save the Ledges" materials and correspondence |
1973-1974 |
3 |
11 |
Sponsored talks and activities |
1970, undated |
| 4 | 31 | Statement of Sherry Dragula before the Drainage Laws Study Committee | 1984 |
3 |
16 |
Story County park system pamphlet |
undated |
3 |
17 |
Story County Pollution Club |
1970 |
3 |
12 |
Suggestions for Photographing Birds, by Barton Morgan |
1968 |
1 |
18 |
Ten Years of BBAS Programs: Listing |
2003 |
1 |
19 |
Thirtieth anniversary celebration |
1998 |
1 |
20 |
Treasurer's records |
1993-1995 |
4 |
15 |
Treasurer's records |
2009-2010 |
Description of series
| Series 2 | Audubon Adventures Program | 1980-[ongoing] |
| extent: | 0.1 linear feet |
|
| description: | The Audubon Adventures Program is an effort by the National Audubon Society to increase education and environmental awareness in young people by issuing newsletters and giving presentations at schools. Included in this series are correspondence, Leader Guides, enrollment forms, and Audubon Adventures newsletters. The series is arranged alphabetically. |
|
Container list
Box |
Folder |
Title |
Dates |
1 |
21 |
Audubon Adventures newsletter |
1986-1997, n.d. |
1 |
22 |
"Average Arrival Dates for Spring Migrants in Iowa" |
n.d. |
1 |
23 |
Class enrollment forms | 1988-1993 |
1 |
24 |
Correspondence | 1980-1994, n.d. |
1 |
25 |
"Interpretive Guide to the Audubon Trail in Brookside Park," by John Bessman | 1997 |
1 |
26 |
Leader's guide and program | 1986-1991 |
4 |
10 |
Project proposals and descriptions | 2000 |
1 |
27 |
Thank you letters from elementary schools | 1989, n.d. |
4 |
11 |
Thank you letters from elementary schools | 2002 ca. |
Description of series
| Series 3 | Minutes and proceedings | 1968-[ongoing] |
| extent: | 0.21 linear feet |
|
| description: | This series contains the meeting minutes and proceedings of the Ames Audubon Society, later named Big Bluestem Audubon Society. The series is arranged chronologically. |
|
Container list
Box |
Folder |
Title |
Dates |
2 |
1 |
Ames Audubon Society: Minutes and proceedings |
1968-1974 |
2 |
2 |
Ames Audubon Society: Minutes and proceedings |
1975-1982 |
2 |
3 |
Big Bluestem Audubon Society: Minutes and proceedings |
1982-1985 |
2 |
4 |
Big Bluestem Audubon Society: Minutes and proceedings |
1986-1988 |
| 4 | 24 | Agendas | 1990-1991 |
2 |
5 |
Big Bluestem Audubon Society: Minutes and proceedings |
1993-1997 |
4 |
12 |
Big Bluestem Audubon Society: Minutes and agendas |
1998-2000 |
2 |
6 |
Big Bluestem Audubon Society: 2001-2002 annual plan |
2001 |
2 |
9 |
Big Bluestem Audubon Society: Minutes and agendas |
2001-2008 |
| 4 | 16 | Big Bluestem Audubon Society: Minutes and agendas | 2009-2011 |
Description of series
| Series 4 | Newsletters | 1968-[ongoing] |
| extent: | 0.32 linear feet |
|
| description: | This series contains the monthly newsletter published by the group. It was initially titled Ames Audubon Newsletter, but its name was changed to Bluestem Flyer when the group changed its name. In 1987, the name was changed to Big Bluestem Flyer. The series is arranged chronologically. |
|
Container list
Box |
Folder |
Title |
Dates |
3 |
1 |
Ames Audubon Newsletter, Volume 1-2 |
1968-1970 |
3 |
2 |
Ames Audubon Newsletter, February 1971-August 1979 |
1971-1979 |
3 |
10 |
Newsletter |
1972 |
3 |
3 |
Bluestem Flyer, Volume 17-21, November 1983-June 1987 |
1983-1987 |
3 |
4 |
Big Bluestem Flyer, Volume 22-27, September 1987-May 1992 |
1987-1992 |
3 |
5 |
Big Bluestem Flyer |
1992-1996 |
3 |
6 |
Big Bluestem Flyer |
1996-2000 |
3 |
7 |
Big Bluestem Flyer |
2000-2004 |
4 |
21 |
Big Bluestem Flyer |
2005 |
3 |
8 |
Big Bluestem Flyer |
2006 |
3 |
9 |
Big Bluestem Flyer |
2007 |
4 |
1 |
Big Bluestem Flyer |
2007-2008 |
4 |
3 |
Big Bluestem Flyer |
2008 |
4 |
17 |
Big Bluestem Flyer |
2009-2010 |
4 |
18 |
Big Bluestem Flyer |
2010-2011 |
| 4 | 30 | Big Bluestem Flyer | 2011 |
| 4 | 33 | Big Bluestem Flyer | 2013 |