Birds Connect Seattle Awards
Black-capped Chickadee / Megan Lavoie / Audubon Photography Awards
Volunteer Awards
Birds Connect Seattle recognizes individuals who demonstrate steadfast service to and for birds and nature, through the following annual awards:
President’s Award: Honors a special individual within the Birds Connect Seattle community who has provided exceptional dedication and service to the organization.
Hero of the Flock: Honors a peer-nominated volunteer who has inspired other volunteers through their service to Birds Connect Seattle.
Education Award: Recognizes an individual in the greater Seattle community whose work inspires students of all ages to love, respect, and protect nature.
Conservation Award: Given to an individual in the greater Seattle community who has made a unique and significant contribution to the protection of birds and wildlife habitat, using creative means for engaging and inspiring the public.
Science Award: Honors an individual in the greater Seattle community who has made a significant contribution to our knowledge of the birds and wildlife habitat of our region, through publications or other means of disseminating scientific information.
Birds Connect Seattle Award: Honors a volunteer who has demonstrated outstanding service and dedication to birds and nature.
Award Recipients
2023
Sharon Wada, President’s Award
Roniq Bartanen, Birds Connect Seattle Award
Susan MacLaren, Hero of the Flock
Whitney Neufeld-Kaiser, Education
Yoon Lee, Conservation & Science
2022
Etta Cosey, President’s Award
Grace Rajendran, Hero of the Flock
Brett Eaton, Education
Judy Bowes, Conservation & Science
2021
Andrew Schepers & Karina Rose, President’s Award
Deb Heiden, Hero of the Flock
The Classes Committee: Dick Holcomb, Jen Kunitsugu, Dan McDougall-Treacy, Jen Steele, Maureen Traxler, Education
Deb Heiden, Conservation
2020
Andrew Jacobson, Hero of the Flock
Alan Grenon, Education
2019
Rod Brown, President’s Award
Virginia Morrison, Hero of the Flock
Malcolm Griffes, Education
Robyn Thomas, Education
Constance Sidles, Conservation
Jerry Joyce, Science
2018
Jill Ericsson, President’s Award
Neil Zimmerman, Hero of the Flock
Kersti Muul, Education
Maria Mudd Ruth, Conservation
Alan Humphrey, Science
Ezra Parker, Science
2017
Diane de Ryss, President’s Award
Steve Dang, Hero of the Flock
Teri Martine, Education
Judith Leconte, Conservation
Jean Olson, Science
2016
Jean Trent, Birds Connect Seattle Award
Herb Curl, President’s Award
Pamela Harlow, Service Award
2015
Virginia Bound, Birds Connect Seattle Award
Charlie Kahle, President’s Award
2014
Colene McKee, Birds Connect Seattle Award
Chris Karrenberg, President’s Award
2013
Marilyn Sandall, Conservation
Jan Bragg, President’s Award
2012
Eric Harlow, Conservation and Education
Karen Adair, President’s Award
2011
Barb Deihl, Education
Dr. Kim McCormick, Education
Dr. John Bower, Science
Dr. Raelene Gold, Conservation
Mary Rogers, President’s Award
2010
Japhy Whalen, Education
Arther Kruckeberg, Science
Maple Leaf Community Council, Conservation
Menachem Mendel Seattle Cheder Day School, Conservation
Virginia Morrison, President’s Award
2009
Penny Rose, Education
Paulette Hunter, Conservation
Susie Shaefer, Conservation
Mike Blackbird, Conservation
Jim Rettig, Conservation
Larry Schwitters, Conservation
Marina Skumanich, Conservation
Dr. Gordon Orians, Science
Alan Humphrey, President’s Award
2008
Andy Pickard, Education
Rod Brown, Conservation
Dr. Julia Parrish, Science
Richard Youel, President’s Award
2007
Susanna Stodden (posthumously), Education
Jerry Joyce, Conservation
Dr. Dennis Paulson, Science
Russell Steele, President’s Award
2006
Kevin Li (posthumously), Conservation
Martha Nester, Education
Dr. Hal Opperman, Science
Miriam Williams, President’s Award
2005
Donna Kostka and Heidi Carpine, Conservation
Barron S. Levine, Education
Dr. Victor B. Scheffer, Science
Neil Zimmerman, President’s Award
Suzanne Krom, Recognition
2004
Herb Curl, Conservation Award
Anita Lagerberg, Education
Jeff Anderson, President’s Award
2002-03
Secondary Bilingual Opportunities Center (Tadesse Gobu, Joan Irvin, Lori Leberer, Judy Nakamura, Irene Rodriquez, and Linda Zbigley), Education
Russell Link, Conservation
Brenda Senturia, Conservation
Chris Altwegg, President’s Award
2001-02
Eileen McMackin, Education
Gretchen Chambers and Vicki Bjorkman, Conservation
Genevieve Rechamp & Earthcare Northwest Mailing Team, President’s Award
2000-01
Janet Sherwood, Education
Michelle Roedell, Conservation
Pat Vivian, President’s Award
1999-2000
Janice Hunt, Education
Lynn Ferguson, Conservation
Idie Ulsh, President’s Award
1998-99
Len Kashner, Education
Fred and Anne Weinman, Conservation
1997-98
Phil Mattocks, Lifetime Achievement
Barbara Schnabel, Education
Chris Peterson, President’s Award
1996-97
Dennis Paulson, Education
Dana Lyons, Environment
Mark Boyar, Habitat
1995-96
Carolee Colter, Conservation/Habitat Preservation
Jim Jontz, Conservation/Ancient Forests
Ken Weiner, Conservation/Growth Management
David Koon, Conservation/WETNET
Ellen Blackstone, President’s Award
1994-95
Senator Cal Anderson, Environmentalist of the Year
Rev. Carla Berkendal, Environmentalist of the Year
Janet Dawes, Environmentalist of the Year
Chuck Lennox, Environmentalist of the Year
Katherine Ransel, Environmentalist of the Year
Idie Ulsh, Environmentalist of the Year
Eleanor Grant, President’s Award
1993-94
Kristina Schoyen, Activist
Sam Shaffer, Activist
Gery Nunnelee, Education
David Hutchinson, President’s Award
Chuck Lennox, Conservation
1992-93
Dr. Steve Herman, Evergreen State College, Wildlife
John Beal, Hamm Creek Reclamation, Citizen Activist
Susan Krom, Black River Heronry, Citizen Activist
Les Welsh, Lighthawk Director, Ancient Forest Overview
1991-92
Jennifer Belcher, State Senator, Environment Defender
Ron Sims, King County Council, Environment Supporter
Jeff Parsons, WA State Audubon Society’s Lobbyist, Issues Coordinator
Curt Schmitch, WA Dept. of Wildlife, Wildlife/Environment
Dean Druggee, Bellevue Schools Teacher, Puppets/Forests
Dee Arntz, Birds Connect Seattle, Co-Award for WETNET Program
Barbara Douma, Birds Connect Seattle, Co-Award for WETNET Program
Bob & Eleanor Grant, Seattle Audubon, President’s Award
1990-91
Steve Penland, WA State Dept. of Wildlife, Backyard Sanctuary
James Baker, Friends of the Earth, Activist
Darlene Madenwald, WEC Forest Practices, Co-Award Activist
Marcy Golde, WEC Forest Practices, Co-Award Activist
Bonnie Phillips-Howard, Pilchuck Audubon, Activist
Keith Ervin, Seattle Times Reporter, Environmental Friend
Chris Luboff, WA Toxics Coalition, Activist’s Organization
Rick Rutz, Birds Connect Seattle, President’s Award
Jerry Adams, Birds Connect Seattle, Environmentalist of the Year
1989-90
Michael Rossotto, Friends of the Earth, Environmentalist of the Year
Mike Lowry, US Congress, Environmentalist of the Year
Gordon Orians, Insti. Environ. Studies, Environmentalist
Daryl Scheibel, Wetlands Watch, Environmental Activist
Kathy Fletcher, Puget Sound Water Quality, Environmentalist
Mike Layton, Seattle Times Reporter, Environmental Friendly
Joan Thomas, WA Environ. Council, Environmental Activist
Thero North, Birds Connect Seattle, President’s Award
Eileen Bryant, Birds Connect Seattle, President’s Award
Nancy Kroening, Birds Connect Seattle, President’s Award
1987-88
Vic Sher, Todd True, and Andy Stahl, Sierra Club Legal Defense, Ancient Forests
Curt Smitch, Governor’s Staff, Environmentalist
Betty Tabutt, WEC Lobbyist, Environmentalist
Mary Ann Gwinn, Seattle Times, Environment Friend
1986-87
Harriet Allen, State Dept. of Wildlife, Owl Friend
Frank Gaffney, Environmentalist
Nancy Rust, State Legislator, Environment Friend
Mike Todd, State Legislator, Environment Friend
Liz Tennant, Birds Connect Seattle, Toxics Advisory Committee
1985-86
Jo Roberts, Mountaineers, Environmentalist
Jack DeYonge, PI Writer, Environment Friend
Lorraine Bodi, National Marine Fisheries, Environment Friend
George Johnson, Activist and Sales
Carol Potter, President’s Award
1984-85
David Ortman, Activist
Laura Stone, Day Camp Director
Tim Hill and Maureen Sullivan, King County Government, Environmental
1983-84
Lorna Campion, Environment
Tom Campion, Ancient Forests
Nancy Rust, Environment Friend
Ken Jacobsen, Environment Friend
Mike Lowry, Environment Friend
Lynn Korn, Ancient Forests
Joe LaTourette, Wildlife Friend
Wilma Anderson, Birds Connect Seattle Past President
Pam Crocker-Davis, Birds Connect Seattle Lobbyist and Founding of WA State Audubon Office
1982-83
Thero North
1981-82
Bob and Eleanor Grant, Volunteers of the Year