Tarré, Emili

Emili Tarré i Tarré was a Catalan lawyer, amateur ornithologist, and influential advocate for public science education who served as president of the Institució Catalana d'Història Natural (ICHN) in 1908. Active within Barcelona’s vibrant natural history circles in the early twentieth century, he helped make scientific knowledge more accessible, particularly by promoting awareness of the ecological value of native wildlife. Over the course of his life, he assembled a substantial private bird collection, which was donated to the Museu de Zoologia de Barcelona after his death and became the foundation of the museum’s dedicated ornithological collection.

A strong supporter of applied natural history, Tarré emphasized the practical benefits of birds and other animals in agriculture, especially their role in controlling harmful pests. In 1902, he published the influential work Els aucells més útils a l'agricultura de Catalunya (The Most Useful Birds for Catalan Agriculture), which highlighted the importance of bird conservation to farming communities. He also authored the popular booklet series Nostres Bèsties (Our Beasts) and contributed regularly to agricultural periodicals such as La Pagesia, helping to bring scientific ideas to a wider audience.

Beyond ornithology, Tarré sought to challenge misconceptions about lesser-known species through his writings. One notable example was his article Los Murciélagos y la Agricultura en Europa (Bats and Agriculture in Europe), published in La Vanguardia, in which he argued for the protection of bats because of their effectiveness as natural insect predators. Through his publications, collections, and educational outreach, Tarré played an important role in advancing both natural history research and wildlife conservation in Catalonia.

https://ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emili_Tarr%C3%A9_i_Tarr%C3%A9