Montana Audubon - who we are
Montana Audubon Annual awards
“Over the fruitful earth and across the sea goes the bright gleam of noble deeds.” (Pindar)
Each year Montana Audubon proudly recognizes select individuals for their special achievements for birds, other wildlife, and their habitats. Valuable wildlife and habitat conservation is often the result of two things—a person’s passion for wildlife and their committed action.
In 2011, Montana Audubon recognized four individuals who exemplify both of these qualities during an award ceremony on June 4 at our Bird Festival in Glasgow. (Descriptions of each award are below.) Congratulations to all!
- Lifetime Achievement Award ~ Ron Farmer
- Educator of the Year ~ Carla Wambach
- Conservationist of the Year ~ Steve Hoffman
- Special Achievement Award - Catherine Wightman
Ron Farmer ~ Lifetime Achievement Award
Ron Farmer received Montana Audubon's Lifetime Achievement Award for his work for Sacajawea Audubon. Ron has been active with this chapter for a long, long time: he wrote the articles of incorporation, the constitution, and the chapter’s by-laws. He has served as the chapter's Treasurer for so long that no one remembers when he took the office. He has also found the meeting location for both chapter Board and monthly meetings at his place of work, requiring him to be the first to arrive to open the building and the last to leave to lock up. In addition, Ron leads field trips for the chapter and serves as a voice of reason and thoughtful participant on the chapter's Board of Directors. Additionally, Ron has recruited new members, as well as chapter leaders. Great work, Ron!
Carla Wambach ~ Educator of the Year
Montana Audubon is pleased to recognize Carla Wambach with our 2011 Educator of the Year Award. Carla, a retired educator, has volunteered countless hours to numerous conservation education efforts. For example, she initiated a program in partnership with the Helena National Forest in 1993, which is still successful today: the Adopt-a-Species Program. Since that time, she has gone into a multitude of classrooms to share her knowledge and passion about wildlife, wildlife habitat, and watchable wildlife ethics. As part of Carla's passion, she is very interested in birds. She has several different programs dedicated to birds, feathers, and flight—including programs given at the International Migratory Bird Day Celebration in Helena. Carla's conservation education work is dedicated to reaching youth with her knowledge and love of nature and the outdoors.
Steve Hoffman ~ Conservationist of the Year.
Steve Hoffman, Montana Audubon's Executive Director, was honored with Montana Audubon's 2011 Conservationist of the Year Award. Steve came to Montana Audubon with more than 25 years of professional experience in wildlife conservation. With a Master’s degree in Wildlife Ecology from Utah State University, he has worked as a wildlife biologist for the Bureau of Land Management and the US Fish & Wildlife Service; founded HawkWatch International; served as the State Director of Bird Conservation for Audubon Pennsylvania; and worked as the Executive Director of Predator Conservation Alliance. Internationally, he helped establish the Veracruz River or Raptors Project in Mexico, which is an initiative whose mission is the conservation of migratory raptors, wading birds, and their habitats.
At Montana Audubon, Steve has worked hard to grow the organization, including adding a Director of Bird Conservation and Development Director positions, establishing climate change work as a priority, and facilitating the opening of our highly successful Audubon Conservation Education Center in Billings. His energy and excitement are contagious. And through this tireless work, he has moved Montana Audubon significantly ahead in its conservation work. Congratulations, Steve!
Catherine Wightman ~ Special Achievement Award
Montana Audubon recognized Catherine Wightman with a 2011 Special Achievement Award. Catherine is the Avian Conservation Coordinator for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. One of her main responsibilities is coordinating the Montana Bird Conservation Partnership (MBCP), a statewide group working collaboratively for all bird conservation. In the last several years through Catherine's leadership, the MBCP has brought in hundreds of thousands of dollars through grant writing for research, monitoring, and habitat conservation. As colleague Dan Casey says of Catherine:
She has reenergized the Montana Bird Conservation Partnership, helping us move forward with the critical tasks of monitoring, prioritizing and most importantly DOING the things needed to ensure the future of Montana’s birds. She takes on these tasks with patience and enthusiasm.
Montana Audubon really appreciates your work, Catherine!
Each year we honor :
Conservationist of the Year - a professional or amateur conservationist who provided significant wildlife conservation achievement in Montana for the previous year.
Environmental Educator of the Year - a person who has shown outstanding achievement in educating others in wildlife conservation. This individual can be a school teacher, interpreter, naturalist, or any other person who educates the public about wildlife conservation.
Special Achievement Award - an individual who has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to birds and other wildlife.
Lifetime Achievement Award - an Audubon volunteer who has dedicated extraordinary effort, time, and energy to shape the activities and successes of a local Audubon chapter and/or Montana Audubon.
The complete list of award winners can be downloaded HERE > >.
2010 AWARDS
These awards were presented at our annual Bird Festival in Missoula in 2010. We recogniz these individuals and groups for their excellent work:
Lifetime Achievement Award ~ Jim Brown
Educators of the Year ~ Sue Reel & Dick Hutto
Conservationist of the Year ~ Dr. Steve Running
Special Achievement Award - The Bitterroot Audubon Chapter - Important Bird Area
