Awards
The Wisconsin Society for Ornithology awards program recognizes individuals or organizations that have made outstanding achievements in advancing bird conservation, promoting the field of ornithology, and contributing to the Society. The first WSO award recipient was Herbert L. Stoddard in 1940. The WSO Board of Directors selects recipients based on nominations received during an open nomination period. With the exception of the Hospitality Award, all award recipients are formally recognized during the Awards Presentation and Reception held at each WSO Annual Convention. We encourage members to recognize contributions of their peers by participating in the nomination process. For further information about individual awards or the awards process, contact Awards Committee Chair Andy Paulios at awards@wsobirds.org.
Award Categories
- Hospitality – recognizes home and business owners that are gracious hosts and stewards of rare bird species.
- Green Passenger Pigeon - recognizes outstanding contributions to bird conservation in Wisconsin.
- Bronze Passenger Pigeon - presented to individuals who have made outstanding contributions in their local communities or in the state to promote the field of ornithology.
- Golden Passenger Pigeon – presented to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the field of ornithology.
- Silver Passenger Pigeon – presented to members of WSO for distinguished service to the Society.
- Certificate of Achievement - given to previous recipients of the Silver Passenger Pigeon who continue to provide exceptional service to the WSO.
- Samuel D. Robbins Lifetime Achievement – honors people who actively contribute to the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology above and beyond their having previously received the Silver Passenger Pigeon Award.
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WSO is actively seeking suggestions for award recipients. You can send an e-mail to awards@wsobirds.org to make a suggestion.
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Hospitality Award
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The Hospitality Award recognizes home and business owners that are gracious hosts and stewards of rare bird species. It is presented to private citizens and businesses that allow birdwatchers to access their properties and view rare birds, as well as those that act as responsible stewards to rare bird species. Recipients of this award receive a Certificate of Hospitality and will be recognized in the WSO newsletter. If you are interested in nominating someone for a Hospitality Award, please send the name and address of the nominee, along with a short description of what they did to merit the award, to awards@wsobirds.org
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Green Passenger Pigeon
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The Green Passenger Pigeon was initiated in 2005. It recognizes outstanding contributions to bird conservation in Wisconsin. Recipients may be an individual/group/organization that made contributions in the following:
- working on behalf of endangered, threatened, and/or common species
- promoting the establishment, management, and protection of bird habitat
- educating the public on bird conservation issues
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Recipients
| Marge Gibson | 2013 |
| Andy Paulios | 2012 |
| Eric Howe | 2010 |
| Harold Kruse | 2010 |
| WDNR Bureau of Endangered Resources | 2007 |
| Noel Cutright | 2005 |
| International Crane Foundation | 2005 |
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Bronze Passenger Pigeon Award
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The Bronze Passenger Pigeon award was initiated in 1994. This award is presented to individuals who have made outstanding contributions in their local communities or in the state to promote the field of ornithology. The contributions may be through teaching (all levels); through conservation work (protection, preservation, restoration of habitat, etc.); or through organizational efforts (forming bird clubs or other groups which further ornithology).
Recipients
| Richard L. Verch | 2013 |
| Mike McDowell | 2012 |
| Fred Lesher | 2011 |
| Roy and Charlotte Lukes | 2010 |
| Ty and Ida Baumann | 2009 |
| Karen and Jerry Smith | 2008 |
| Laura Erickson | 2007 |
| Jack Bartholmai | 2005 |
| Karen Etter Hale | 2004 |
| Tom Sykes | 2003 |
| Jim Williams | 2003 |
| Daryl Christensen | 2002 |
| Roy and Charlotte Lukes | 1999 |
| William Volkert | 1999 |
| Bernie Brouchoud | 1997 |
| John L Kaspar | 1996 |
| Don Kopff | 1996 |
| Charles R Sindelar | 1996 |
| Bob Adams | 1994 |
| Daniel D Berger | 1994 |
| Merle Pickett | 1994 |
| Edward Prins | 1994 |
| Mrs Webster (Winnie) Woodmansee | 1994 |
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Golden Passenger Pigeon Award
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Initiated in 1939 as “Honorary Life,” this award for outstanding achievement in the science of ornithology was renamed the “Golden Passenger Pigeon” in 1978. It is awarded for recognized published research, major book efforts or other such work in ornithology. It conveys life WSO membership upon the recipient and is limited to 15 living members at any time.
Recipients
| Thomas Nicholls | 2013 |
| Thomas R Schultz | 2001 |
| Stanley A Temple | 1989 |
| Samuel D Robbins | 1974 |
| Frances Hamerstrom | 1972 |
| Frederick Hamerstrom | 1972 |
| Chandler S. Robbins | 1970 |
| John T Emlen | 1967 |
| Joseph J Hickey | 1966 |
| Dr Joel Carl Welty | 1964 |
| Alexander Wetmore | 1954 |
| Wallace B Grange | 1950 |
| Owen Gromme | 1950 |
| George Wagner | 1945 |
| Leon J Cole | 1942 |
| Hartley H T Jackson | 1942 |
| Aldo Leopold | 1942 |
| A W Schorger | 1941 |
| Herbert L Stoddard Sr | 1940 |
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Silver Passenger Pigeon Award
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The Silver Passenger Pigeon award was initiated in 1964. Presented to members of the WSO for “Distinguished Service” to the Society.
Recipients
| Barbara Duerksen | 2013 |
| Jane Dennis | 2012 |
| Jesse Peterson | 2012 |
| Scott Baughman | 2011 |
| Don Reel and Christine Reel | 2009 |
| Bob Domagalski | 2008 |
| Janine Polk | 2007 |
| Robert Howe | 2006 |
| Jeff Baughman | 2004 |
| Randy Hoffman | 2003 |
| Jim Frank | 2001 |
| Bettie R Harriman | 1998 |
| Fred Lesher | 1997 |
| Margie Amato and Mark Amato | 1996 |
| Thomas R Schultz | 1994 |
| Allen K Shea | 1994 |
| Kenneth I Lange | 1993 |
| Stanley A Temple | 1993 |
| John H Idzikowski | 1992 |
| Stephen J Lang | 1992 |
| Mark S Peterson | 1992 |
| Thomas K Soulen | 1992 |
| Noel Cutright | 1989 |
| John Bielefeldt | 1988 |
| J J Peartree | 1987 |
| Alex Kailing | 1985 |
| Linda Safir | 1985 |
| Roy Lukes and Charlotte Lukes | 1984 |
| Rockne Knuth | 1983 |
| Gordon Cox | 1981 |
| Carl Hayssen | 1981 |
| Daryl Tessen | 1980 |
| William Hilsenhoff | 1978 |
| Charles Gilmore | 1977 |
| Mr Hal Roberts and Mrs (Nancy) Roberts | 1977 |
| Mr Earl Schmidt and Mrs (Norma) Schmidt | 1976 |
| Elmer W Strehlow | 1976 |
| Vincent Bauldrey | 1975 |
| Dr Fred Baumgartner and Marguerite Baumgartner | 1975 |
| Dr Donald Kindschi | 1975 |
| Carl Richter | 1975 |
| Mary Donald | 1974 |
| Wilbur D Brown | 1973 |
| Murl Deusing | 1972 |
| Mr Arthur Gauerke and Mrs (Lucy) Gauerke | 1972 |
| Charles E Nelson | 1969 |
| Nils Dahlstrand | 1968 |
| Mr David Cox and Mrs (Hazel) Cox | 1967 |
| Mr Al Holz and Mrs (Phyllis) Holz | 1967 |
| Edward Peartree | 1967 |
| Dr Howard Young | 1967 |
| Harold A Bauers | 1966 |
| Dr Fred Hamerstrom and Mrs (Fran) Hamerstrom | 1966 |
| Harold G Liebherr | 1966 |
| Stanley L Polachek | 1966 |
| Judge J Allen Simpson | 1966 |
| J Harwood Evans | 1965 |
| Carl P Frister | 1965 |
| Clara Hussong | 1965 |
| Dr Charles A Kemper | 1965 |
| Helen Northup | 1965 |
| Norval R Barger | 1964 |
| Mr Harold Kruse and Mrs (Carla) Kruse | 1964 |
| Rev Samuel D Robbins | 1964 |
| Walter E Scott | 1964 |
| Dr Harry Steenbock | 1964 |
| Mrs R A Walker | 1964 |
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Certificate of Achievement
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The Certificate of Achievement was initiated in 1981. It is presented to recipients of the Silver Passenger Pigeon award who continue to provide exceptional service to the WSO.
Recipients
| Jeff Baughman | 2011 |
| Tom Schultz | 2011 |
| Tom Soulen | 2008 |
| Bettie Harriman | 2007 |
| Noel Cutright | 2001 |
| Alex Kailing | 1996 |
| Daryl Tessen | 1996 |
| Norval R Barger | 1994 |
| Charles Gilmore | 1993 |
| Samuel D Robbins Jr | 1993 |
| Carl G Hayssen Jr | 1992 |
| Dr Howard Young | 1992 |
| William Hilsenhoff | 1989 |
| Mary Donald | 1985 |
| Charles Kemper | 1983 |
| Walter Scott | 1982 |
| Ed Peartree | 1981 |
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Samuel D. Robbins Lifetime Achievement Award
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The Samuel D. Robbins Lifetime Achievement award was initiated in 2000. Honors those people who actively contribute to the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology above and beyond their having previously received the Silver Passenger Pigeon Award (for service to WSO) and the WSO Certificate of Appreciation (for continued service to WSO).
Recipients
| Noel Cutright | 2012 |
| Daryl Tessen | 2012 |
| Charles A Kemper | 2004 |
| Alex Kailing | 2003 |
| William Hilsenhoff | 2002 |
| Mary Donald | 2001 |
