On Thursday, April 16, 7:00 pm, Author James McCommons will present his new book, The Feather Wars and the Great Crusade to Save America’s Birds, at the National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, WV.
Reserve Your Spot for Upcoming Public Programs:
To register for the upcoming program, please email: NCTC-Lecture-Series@fws.gov. Be sure to include the program date in the subject or memo line, and list the names of all attending adults in the body of your message. Children’s names are not required.
The Feather Wars is an entertaining and expansive work of American history, an incredible story about how disparate characters―conservation-minded politicians, free-thinking society ladies, nature writers and artists, bird-loving U.S. presidents, gunmakers, business titans, and brave game wardens―came together to save hundreds of species of birds. Heroes, martyrs, villains, and conflicted do-gooders―the early bird conservation movement had them all. Together they transformed how Americans thought and cared about birds, forever altering the American landscape and skies.
James McCommons, professor emeritus, taught journalism and nature writing at Northern Michigan University for 20 years. Previously, he was a newspaper reporter, magazine editor, and business writer. He continues to work as a book author and freelance magazine writer with specialties in travel and environmental issues. He has published in Audubon, the L.A. Times, the New York Times, Discover, the History Channel Magazine, and Better Homes and Gardens. His latest book, The Feather Wars, was just released on March 17, 2026.
This public lecture will be held in the Byrd Auditorium at the National Conservation Training Center, 698 Conservation Way, Shepherdstown, WV 25443.
This event is free and open to the public. All are welcome!
Reserve Your Spot for Upcoming Public Programs:
To register for the upcoming program, please email: NCTC-Lecture-Series@fws.gov. Be sure to include the program date in the subject or memo line, and list the names of all attending adults in the body of your message. Children’s names are not required.
This lecture will be rebroadcast on Wednesday April 22 at 2pm at: https://www.youtube.com/live/PFCxSG-ZLqo
For more information, please contact Mark Madison (304-876-7276) at mark_madison@fws.gov.
Please donate. The Friends of the National Conservation Training Center is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization and your donations are tax deductible.
