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).

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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).

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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.

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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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