Exhibition

Pioneering Conservation: From Mabel Osgood Wright to Today



May 18, 2024 — September 1, 2024

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!

 

Exhibition-Related Events & Programs

June 1, 2024 | 7:30 – 9:30 am | Bird Walk at Oak Lawn Cemetery & Arboretum with CT Audubon

June 1, 2024 | 10 am – 4 pm | Pop-Up Display at the Fairfield Museum Research Library

June 8, 2024 | 11:30 am – 1:30 pm | Paper-Making Demonstration

June 15, 2024 | 1 – 3:30 pm | Paper-Making Workshop for Adults

June 22, 2024 | 11 am – 12 pm | What’s That Tree? A Guided Tree Walk

July 20, 2024 | 11 am – 2 pm | Family Day: All About Conservation

July 20, 2024 | 4 – 6 pm | Happy Hour Craft: Pressed Flower Frames

August 24, 2024 | 11 am – 1 pm | Family Activity: Flower Dissection

August 24, 2024 | 4- 6 pm | Happy Hour Craft: Mini Air Plant Terrariums

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Exhibition Supporters

This exhibit would not be possible without the collaboration of the following organizations:

Ash Creek Conservation Association, Aspetuck Land Trust, Connecticut Audubon Society, Highstead, The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, and Mill River Wetland Committee.

Pioneering Conservation is made possible in part by the generous support of Oak Lawn Cemetery and Arboretum and the Bafflin Foundation.