TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay History Center's newest exhibition, "A History of Conservation — A Bird's Eye View," on display through February 10, 2019, seeks to show how we’ve failed and succeeded at stewards for our environment in Florida.

As the exhibit puts forth to viewers, birds are the bellwether of that success.

"There's a reason why you have the phrase ‘Canary in the coal mine,’” said Rodney Kite-Powell, Curator at the History Center.

Once revered as deities in ancient worlds, humans plucked birds from the heavens and reduced them to dinner, and later to decoration.

Populations decimated

"Women would put the bird plumes in their hats," explained Kite-Powell.

The exhibition shows feathers were such a fashion statement at the turn of the 20th Century they were worth more than gold.

As a result, entire bird populations were decimated in South Florida.

The once robust roseate spoonbill population?

"It had been hunted to near extinction,” said Kite-Powell.

Course correction

But as the exhibition shows, humans corrected harmful behavior mid-stream.

Women pledged to end this fashion statement, even signing pledges.

Also, groups came forward as advocates for the birds. The creation of the Audubon Society, with President Theodore Roosevelt’s participation as an honorary board member, and his role in creating Federal Bird Reservations, including Tampa Bay’s Passage Key, represent the beginning of what is now the National Wildlife Refuge system.

These steps changed a once darkly probable event for a dwindling population of roseate spoonbills.

"[The spoonbill] has made an amazing comeback," said Kite-Powell.

The exhibition also shows the careful drawings of bird species by naturalists, along with clippings showing the Audubon Society’s advocacy for pelicans.

There is also a depiction of protected local nesting areas for black skimmers.

"All those things we do, we can see in our history,” said Kite-Powell. “And like most things in history, you either want to repeat the good stuff or fix the bad. And you can do both by learning our natural history."