Conservation is not just an ideal that we read about; it works.

Birds are indicators of the environment. If they are in trouble, we know we'll soon be in trouble.

Butterflies may be better indicators of the health of our environment than birds.

The philosophy that I have worked under most of my life is that the serious study of natural history is an activity which has far-reaching effects in every aspect of a person's life. It ultimately makes people protective of the environment in a very committed way. It is my opinion that the study of natural history should be the primary avenue for creating environmentalists.

Birds, it must be admitted, are the most exciting and most deserving of the vertebrates; they are perhaps the best entre into the study of natural history, and a very good wedge into conservation awareness.

Birds have wings; they're free; they can fly where they want when they want. They have the kind of mobility many people envy.

Vultures are homely, but they clean up all the garbage and that's good. And they're elegant in the sky.