In the early 19th century there was little concern among citizens of the United States for the conservation of the country's natural resources. John James Audubon's name is well known today for the

National Audubon Society,the conservation organization he inspired. But his biggest legacy may well be the change he helped bring about in the nation's collective attitude toward wildlife and natural beauty. Audubon's lifelike drawings of North American birds helped people everywhere to see the wonders of nature in a new way, inspiring concern and conservation commitment that has spanned generations.

Demonstrating early in his life a talent for drawing birds, Audubon had more than a thousand samples in his portfolio by the time he set out for England in 1826 in search of a publisher. The result was stunning: A 100-plate book, Ornithological Biography of the Birds of America. Soon, there were more than 1,065 species in his collection, populating Volumes II and III of Birds of America.