Chapter Awards
The Apalachee Audubon Society Chapter of the National Audubon Society (hereafter referred to as the Chapter or AAS) located in the Big Bend of Florida, offers several awards to recognize individuals, organizations and/or businesses that aid in the accomplishment of the Chapter’s mission. Any chapter member may submit a nomination. Just click the following link to download the form, which includes the requirements. This is a fillable form that can be emailed to the address on the form or filled out, printed, and mailed.
Download Award Requirements & Nomination Form
There are six award categories that recognize exceptional contributions of time and talent, as well as monetary contributions. The requirements for eligibility are presented below.
More than one award may be made in each category in any one year. However, the Chapter is not obligated to make an award in any category every year. The Meritorious Service, Great Egret, and Presidential Recognition awards parallel awards conferred by the National Audubon Society. Therefore, the Chapter Awards Committee may submit local nominees to the National Audubon Society for broader recognition.
2017 Awards
Dr. Huey B. Long Great Egret Award: Harvey Goldman
Elizabeth J. Platt Meritorious Service Award: Fran Rutkovsky
Community Service Awards:
- Jeff Hugo
- Jackie Turner
- Don Morrow
- Donna Legare
Award category and associated criteria for eligibility:
Elizabeth J. Platt Meritorious Service Award
Purpose: To publicly acknowledge and express gratitude to outstanding Chapter activists.
This award may be granted to members who have sustained outstanding leadership as a Chapter officer, committee chairperson, special project leader, fund-raiser, activist, membership recruiter or other category appropriate to the Chapter.
Dr. Huey B. Long Great Egret Award
Purpose: To publicly acknowledge and express gratitude to individuals who have made significant long-term contributions to conservation in pursuit of the Audubon mission.
This award is granted to individuals have been in the “trenches” for 20 years or more working for the Audubon missions, either as a volunteer or staff member. This individual has made significant contributions within the Chapter, a center, state, region, or national levels of the Audubon Society.
Presidential Recognition Award
Purpose: To publicly acknowledge and express gratitude to individuals or businesses within the Chapter who have made significant service or monetary contributions to the Chapter.
This award is granted to individuals or businesses who have provided exceptional services or monetary aid to the Chapter in support of its mission. Often used for individuals who are not active Chapter leaders, or to recognize business contributions.
Media Award
Purpose: To recognize outstanding reporting in newspapers, radio or television on an environmental issue of relevance to the local communities served by the AAS.
This award is granted to a reporter, editorial writer or publisher for exceptional coverage of an environmental topic during the past year. Although this award is intended for a journalist from the general public, the recipient may also be a member of the AAS.
Community Leadership Award
Purpose: To publicly acknowledge an individual or organization, within the local communities served by the AAS, who has demonstrated leadership in advancing the Chapter’s mission.
This award is granted to an individual or group outside of the AAS for successful involvement in a specific environmental project during the past year. The project must be relevant to the Chapter’s mission; “Protection of the environment through education, appreciation, and conservation”.
Junior Leadership Award
Purpose: To recognize the contribution of a young person from the communities served by the AAS towards advancing the Chapter’s mission.
This award is granted to an individual 20 years of age or younger whose volunteer efforts during the past year have advanced the Chapter’s mission; “Protection of the environment through education, appreciation, and conservation”. The recipient is not required to be a member of the AAS.
