View 2020 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 our Awards Chair, Wendy Schultz. To submit a nomination, please use this form.
Award Categories
- 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.
- Silver Passenger Pigeon – presented to members of WSO for distinguished service to the Society.
- Certificate of Appreciation - given to previous recipients of the Silver Passenger Pigeon who continue to provide exceptional service to the WSO.
- Golden Passenger Pigeon – presented to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the field of ornithology.
- Noel J. Cutright Conservation Award - recognizes outstanding contributions to bird conservation in Wisconsin.
- 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.
- Special Recognition Award – recognizes the collective efforts of a far-reaching project or partnership that increases the public's awareness and appreciation for birds, their habitats or the need for conservation.
- Hospitality – recognizes home and business owners that are gracious hosts and stewards of rare bird species.
WSO is actively seeking suggestions for award recipients. You can submit this form to make a suggestion.
Bronze Passenger Pigeon Award
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
Sue Haug |
2023 |
Nancy Nabak |
2023 |
Marc and Gayl Zuelsdorf |
2022 |
Aaron Stutz |
2021 |
Ryan Brady |
2020 |
Michelle Voss |
2020 |
Steve Betchkal |
2019 |
Jeb Barzen |
2019 |
Jim Knickelbine |
2019 |
Anita Carpenter |
2019 |
Jeff Bahls |
2018 |
Larry Michael |
2018 |
Nicholas Anich |
2017 |
Rick Fare |
2016 |
Mike Meyer |
2015 |
Dr. Charles Sontag |
2014 |
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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Silver Passenger Pigeon Award
The Silver Passenger Pigeon award was initiated in 1964. Presented to members of the WSO for "Distinguished Service" to the Society.
Recipients
Jenny Wenzel |
2023 |
Wendy Schultz |
2023 |
Anna Pidgeon |
2022 |
Levi Wood |
2020 |
Mary Uttech |
2019 |
Peter McKeever |
2018 |
Paul Jakoubek |
2017 |
Christine Zimmerman |
2016 |
Margaret Brasser |
2016 |
Carl Schwartz |
2015 |
William Mueller |
2014 |
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 Appreciation
The Certificate of Appreciation 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
Carl Schwartz |
2022 |
Mark Peterson |
2016 |
Bob Domagalski |
2015 |
Christine Reel |
2015 |
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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Golden Passenger Pigeon Award
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
Laura Erickson |
2022 |
George Archibald |
2020 |
Sumner Matteson |
2020 |
Robert W. Howe |
2017 |
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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Noel J. Cutright Conservation Award
The Noel J. Cutright Conservation Award was initiated in 2005 as the Green Passenger Pigeon Award. In 2014 the name was changed to honor one of Wisconsin's premier bird conservationists. 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
Recipients
Paul Smith |
2023 |
Pat Ready |
2023 |
Al Sherkow |
2023 |
Janet Eschenbauch, Amber Eschenbauch |
2022 |
Dick Nikolai |
2021 |
Charlie Luthin |
2021 |
Gene Jacobs |
2020 |
John Jacobs |
2020 |
Ken Lange |
2020 |
Mike Mossman |
2020 |
Brian Russart |
2019 |
Mark Martin and Sue Foote-Martin |
2019 |
Friends of Grant Park |
2018 |
Karen Etter Hale |
2017 |
Tom Hauge |
2017 |
David Sample |
2016 |
Kent Hall |
2015 |
Greg Septon |
2014 |
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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Samuel D. Robbins Lifetime Achievement Award
The Samuel D. Robbins Lifetime Achievement award was initiated in 2000. It 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
Tom Schultz |
2021 |
Jeff Baughman |
2021 |
Bob Domagalski |
2020 |
Roy and Charlotte Lukes |
2015 |
Bettie Harriman |
2014 |
Noel Cutright |
2012 |
Daryl Tessen |
2012 |
Charles A. Kemper |
2004 |
Alex Kailing |
2003 |
William Hilsenhoff |
2002 |
Mary Donald |
2001 |
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Special Recognition Award
The Special Recognition award was initiated in 2014. It was created to recognize the collective efforts of a far-reaching project or partnership that increases the public's awareness and appreciation for birds, their habitats or the need for conservation.
Recipients
BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin |
2023 |
Feminist Bird Club - Madison |
2023 |
Project SOAR |
2020 |
Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership |
2018 |
Urban Ecology Center |
2016 |
Stanley A. Temple for Project Passenger Pigeon |
2014 |
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Hospitality Award
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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