Resistance: Protest and Conservation History

I recently visited a brilliant exhibition titled “Resistance” at the Turner Contemporary in Margate, curated by acclaimed filmmaker and artist Sir Steve McQueen. This powerful collection documented over a century of protest movements, spanning from Emmeline Pankhurst’s suffragette campaign to demonstrations against the Iraq War. The exhibition masterfully illustrated the enduring impact of collective action throughout history.

The Forgotten Battle for Egrets

One section particularly captivated me: the historical protests against Egret (Ardea spp) feather trade in the late 19th century that helped establish what would become the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). This lesser-known but pivotal conservation movement emerged as a response to a devastating fashion trend.

Key Facts About the Egret Feather Trade

• At the height of the trade in the 1880s, a single ounce of egret plumes was worth £15 (approximately £1,800 in today’s currency) – more valuable than gold
• London feather auctions in 1902 alone sold plumes from nearly 200,000 egrets
• The breeding plumes, known as “aigrettes,” were most sought after during nesting season, resulting in orphaned chicks starving to death after parent birds were killed
• An estimated 5 million birds were killed annually worldwide for the millinery trade during this period
• By 1889, little egrets were functionally extinct in Britain and much of Europe

A Conservation Movement was Born From Protest

The Society for the Protection of Birds was founded in Manchester in 1889 by Emily Williamson and it merged with Eliza Phillips’ Fur, Fin and Feather Folk in 1891. These pioneering women conservationists received a Royal Charter in 1904, officially establishing the RSPB. Their members – predominantly women – campaigned relentlessly against the plumage trade through boycotts, public education, and legislative advocacy #girlpower. Our very own Selborne Society also emerged at this time, to support the campaign against the trade in exotic plumage.  

After decades of persistent effort, Parliament finally passed the Importation of Plumage (Prohibition) Act in 1921, effectively ending the trade by 1930. This legislation represented one of the first major victories for wildlife conservation in the UK.

In the photograph from the exhibition you can see the determined faces of these early conservationists – a powerful reminder that meaningful change often requires sustained commitment over many years. Their perseverance ultimately paid off; little egrets have made a remarkable recovery and naturally recolonised Britain in the 1990s, with over 1,000 breeding pairs now established across the country.

I felt a connection to this historical movement while participating in the recent Walk for Nature alongside fellow Ealing Wildlife Group members. Our collective presence hopefully delivered some meaningful nudges to policymakers about contemporary conservation challenges.

Keep the faith – the history of the egret protection movement proves that together, we truly can make a difference.

Fiona McIntyre

Volunteer Officer