Pioneering Conservation: From Mabel Osgood Wright to Today

Mabel Osgood Wright found her calling in the gardens of her family’s Fairfield estate. Having discovered a love of nature and especially birds, Wright published books, taught classes, and founded the Connecticut Audubon Society in the late 1800s. While industrialization and urbanization were the primary threats to natural spaces during Wright’s time, today we are experiencing other profound changes to our landscape. Global warming, climate change, and the increased development of open spaces require advocacy efforts to help protect our environment. Today, the model of conservation work established by Mabel Osgood Wright continues to be emulated by regional organizations: educate the public on the human environmental impact; cultivate an intimate connection with nature; protect open space from development; and steward the land and wildlife for future generations.

The Fairfield Museum has collaborated with six regional organizations to illuminate their unique stories that carry on Mabel Osgood Wright’s legacy of conservation leadership. Environmental protection often starts with individual advocacy, but enacting change for a sustainable future cannot be done without support from people like us.

Learn about the work being done by organizations to protect the habitats and wildlife across Fairfield County, including the marshes, tidal estuary, rivers, and woodlands, and how you can help conserve our environment!