Dear National Audubon Society,

As with any publicly noticeable bad habit that if one knew about its obviousness one would wish to break, I find myself in the somewhat awkward position of pointing out just such a habit to you. I know it might be a little embarrassing to hear but I hope our long relationship and knowledge that I am only doing this because of my concern for your welfare will help to soften the shock. Ready? Alright, here goes: you’re sending out too much unnecessary printed advertising material.

I know, I know, you think all the other non-profit organizations are doing it as well – and indeed some of them are – but that is no reason for you to have to go down the same path as they do. Wasn’t it you yourself who helped me to understand the toll on forests wrought by the felling of trees solely to make paper to be turned into “junk mail?” “[…] each year America’s mailboxes are clogged with 20 billion catalogs, many of them made from trees logged in Canada’s boreal forest…” you said. And I heard you. I try each day to make sure that I am not wasting resources myself: not using paper towels, carrying and using pocket handkerchiefs instead of tissues, reading documents on my computer screen instead of printing them.

Now it’s true, with the economy being what it is, you’re pressed for donations. Corporations just aren’t donating like they did a few years back and as people continue to lose their jobs fewer of them are able to spend their money on things that don’t put food on the table or a roof over their heads. But really now – in the past few weeks alone I’ve received seven different letters from you asking me either to join (you know very well I’m already a member), donate additional money, or renew my membership early. It’s becoming a bit much.

You need to remember that your friends will continue to support you. Do the good work you’ve done for all these past decades and you will certainly continue to receive contributions and subscriptions. But I have to caution you: keep up these seemingly endless and resource-depleting fund raising efforts, and you might find that even the friendship of your most ardent supporters may begin to wear thin.

Just believe in yourself and what you do. You’re smart as well as strong. Remember that and think about the implications of your actions, and you’ll be fine. As the great Canadian philosopher Red Green said, “I’m pulling for you, we’re all in this together.”