From their : "The RSPB is a charity for the conservation of birds and nature. We bring people together who love birds and other wildlife, and who want to take action to restore the health and diversity of the natural world."
The history at their website makes it clear that the creation of the organisation was a largely female affair: "In 1889, Emily Williamson created the Society for the Protection of Birds with one core aim – to fight a fashion for feathers and exotic plumes that were driving birds ... towards extinction. Her all-women movement was born out of frustration that the male-only British Ornithologists Union was not acting on the issue. Emily’s efforts soon gathered pace and after joining forces with Etta Lemon and Eliza Phillips, the movement grew in popularity and influence. So much so, that in 1904 the society was awarded a Royal Charter, making it the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Eventually, the 1921 Importation of Plumage (Prohibition) Act was passed, marking the RSPB’s first successful campaign for nature."
It's interesting that, when we created this page, we already had a mention of the RSPB on 4 subjects: Field Marshal Alanbrooke, William Henry Hudson, Sir Montagu Sharpe and G. F. Watts; all men.
gives more detail on the creation: "The Plumage League was founded by Emily Williamson at her house in Didsbury, Manchester, as a protest group campaigning against the use of great crested grebe and kittiwake skins and feathers in fur clothing. ...The Fin, Fur and Feather Folk was founded in Croydon by Eliza Phillips, Etta Lemon, Catherine Hall, Hannah Poland and others. The groups gained in popularity and amalgamated in 1891 to form the Society for the Protection of Birds in London."
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