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), conservation work (protection, preservation, restoration of habitat, etc.), or organizational efforts (forming bird clubs or other groups which further ornithology). Current year recipients are posted below. To see a list of past recipients, scroll past the current recipients. 

2025 Bronze Passenger Pigeon Award Recipients (See the announcement here)

Terrie Cooper

Terrie Cooper recently retired from the Door County Land Trust after working there for 25 years, making an extensive impact on land protection in Door County. Terrie was involved in over 220 land projects that yielded over 8,800 protected acres. She also co-created 12 new DNR State Natural Areas in Door County. As the second employee of the land trust, she served as conservationist, mentor, educator and friend. Door County is recognized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and The Nature Conservancy to be of great significance for more than 170 species of both migratory and breeding birds, with a diversity of forest and wetland habitats necessary for birds to forage and nest. Terrie’s background as a knowledgeable birder has helped shape the land trust’s focus on preserving areas of greatest benefit to these birds. This nomination is meant to not only honor Terrie but to spotlight the significant contribution the state’s more than 40 land trusts -- along with Gathering Waters, Wisconsin's Alliance for Land Trusts -- make to bird conservation in Wisconsin. Door County Land Trust is a standout among them and Terrie has been a key player in its accomplishments.

John Shillinglaw

John Shillinglaw was born on the northeast Iowa prairies of New Hampton. He attended Cornell, then received an M.D. and practiced ophthalmology in Appleton, Wisconsin, until 2002. While in Appleton, John was a key element in the Fox River Valley Audubon Society and local bird club, and served as the Appleton CBC coordinator for many years. In 2013 John relocated to Madison, Wisconsin. While there he served on the board of directors of the Madison Audubon Society (now Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance) from 2017-2021. He was listed on the WSO Speakers Bureau for topics including prairie restoration, grassland birds, and Karner blue butterflies. He also volunteered as a guide and steward at the UW Arboretum. He spoke publicly on topics such as “Creating habitat for the health of our lakes, watersheds, and pollinators”. Inspired by the writings of Iowa native Aldo Leopold and his work at the University of Wisconsin, he acquired land in Waushara County and has been managing and restoring the land for five decades. In 2013, John received the Henry Greene Award for Innovative Approaches in Restoration, presented by the Aldo Leopold Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Arboretum. John hosted many Natural Resources Foundation (NRF) field trips at his Mecan Prairie, taking much pride in the Karner blues and the many grassland birds living there. In 2022 he established the Mecan River Watershed Fund with NRF and has arranged to protect this area for perpetuity with a land trust. While at Cornell, John was influenced by reading the Albert Camus novel, “The Plague”. His takeaway was even when things seem hopeless, it is important to act. John felt environmental activism might be seen in this light, and stated that “It is important for all of us to assume responsibility for the natural world”.