When I made my first visit to England for the British Birdwatching Fair at Rutland Water, I was instantly captivated by the astonishing interest in natural history displayed by the English. When I inquired as to what was behind such a broad public interest in birds, butterflies, mammals, and a host of other naturalist topics, the answer came back time and again “Oh, well the RSPB is very active here.”

For those who might not be familiar with those hallowed initials, the RSPB – more formally the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds – is the largest natural history related organization in the world. With over 1,000,000 members and a history stretching back to 1889, the RSPB is a force for the protection of, and a venue for education about, not only birds but all the other creatures which share the British Isles with them as well. When I came to learn all they had accomplished, all they still aspired to do, and how effective they were at accomplishing their goals, I joined immediately and have for years have maintained a membership despite never having lived in England or any other commonwealth country.

This is where the problem I now face arises. As anyone who works for a living well knows, we’re deep in a recession / depression / giant economic coke-up. Most people, including myself, are worried about the future and as a result are cutting back expenses where possible and all-to-often even beyond that. So when the renewal notice for my RSPB membership arrived in the post the other week, I hesitated. I have already cut out my yearly contribution to a number of conservation organizations right here in the United States, not to mention just about all international ones; how could I therefore continue to send in a yearly thirty-five Pounds Sterling (nearly sixty U.S. Dollars) to the RSPB?

Because I know that the money will be put to extraordinarily good use in one of their dozens of active conservation programs not only in Britain but throughout the Middle East and Africa as well. Because I know that they reach over 170,000 of their own youth members as well as hundreds of thousands of additional children with their superb outreach programs promoting the respect for and better understanding of the natural world. Because of their support for critically important scientific research on the environment and their tireless efforts to ensure that such projects receive the governmental attention they deserve. And because I quite frankly get a feeling of personal satisfaction by knowing that however small my part may be, I have helped to support all these and the host of other worthwhile activities made possible by the collective membership of the RSPB.

Consider my membership renewed.