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Awards

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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