Second-Hand Conservation

Every once in a while, I’ll feature an item from my eBay or Etsy stores under the banner of Second-Hand Conservation.

Why?

Because conservation isn’t just about protecting forests, wetlands, wildlife, and natural resources. It is also about how we use the resources we already have. Every item that is reused, repurposed, repaired, gifted, or sold second-hand is one less item headed to a landfill and one less demand for something new to be manufactured.

Today’s featured item is a copy of Of a Feather: A Brief History of American Birding by Scott Weidensaul.

Birdwatching is now one of America’s most popular outdoor activities, enjoyed by millions of people each year. Yet birding wasn’t always the widespread pastime it is today. This book explores how birdwatching evolved from a pursuit practiced by a relatively small group of naturalists into a major recreational activity that has influenced conservation, environmental education, and our understanding of the natural world.

As someone who has spent much of his life working in conservation and environmental education, I find books like this particularly interesting because they help tell the story of how people developed a deeper appreciation for birds and nature. That appreciation has often translated into conservation action.

This particular copy comes from my personal library. Like many of the books I own, it has served its purpose for me and is now ready to continue its journey with someone else.

That’s really what Second-Hand Conservation is all about.

A book is written once, printed once, and then has the potential to educate and inspire many readers over its lifetime. Passing books along rather than allowing them to sit unused on shelves is a simple form of stewardship.

If you’re interested in learning more about the history of birding in America, this book may be worth a look.

View the listing here:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/236845179899

“Doing Good and Doing Well” sometimes starts with something as simple as giving a good book a second life.
— Ron Dodson, The Conservation Company