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Original Society Led the Way

By the spring of 1966, the Griggsville Wild Bird Society was on the scene. This organization, that later was to become the Nature Society, was sponsored by Trio Manufacturing Company (that later was to become Nature House Inc.). Led by Chairman A. E. Vail, the Society promoted all birds, but its original members joined because of their interest in martins. The Society immediately began collecting and distributing information about birds.

Although active in 1965, their presence on the continental scene was not felt until 1966. Before that spring and summer were past, the Society had made a unique mark on the midwest and south, and its influence was beginning to be felt far and wide.

Early in 1966, the Purple Martin Capital News began publication as the link between the Griggsville Wild Bird Society and its members. It eventually became the Nature Society News, but not until 1979, three years after the organization itself had changed its name to the Nature Society.

J. L. Wade's first book, What You Should Know About the Purple Martin, was also published in 1966.

But the most striking activities of the Society that year were the promotions held in Houston, St. Louis, and Chicago. In all these cities, Purple Martin Time met enthusiastic acceptance by city administrations, civic groups, business people, and the media. They pushed interest in wild birds to its highest level in years.