The WHSG currently gives out two awards in honor of the advances in shorebird conservation and research that each person made as well as fostered through their students and colleagues. More information about the awards can be found at the WHSG website.
Allan Baker Lifetime Achievement Award for Shorebird Conservation
The Allan Baker Lifetime Achievement Award for Shorebird Conservation was given to both Patricia Gonzalez and Brad Andres in recognition of their exceptional leadership, dedication, and vision, which has profoundly influenced the conservation and management of shorebirds throughout the Western Hemisphere.
Allan Baker Lifetime Achievement Award for Shorebird Conservation: Patricia González
Patricia González, Lic. is the Wetlands Program Coordinator at the Inalafquen Foundation in San Antonio Oeste, Argentina. She has had a remarkable career, focused on the ecology of migration and survival of the rufa Red Knot. She has dedicated herself to the conservation of shorebirds in numerous significant areas including San Antonio Bay (Río Negro) and Río Grande (Tierra del Fuego) in Argentina; Lagoa do Piexe and Maranhão in Brazil; Delaware Bay in the United States; and Mingan in Canada. She became the Shorebird Program Coordinator at International Conservation Fund of Canada (ICFC) in 2015. Within this framework, she has supported
conservation projects in key shorebird sites in South America. Patricia has successfully engaged local communities in the conservation of shorebirds, shifting traditional perspectives and fostering greater appreciation and protection of migratory birds. Her research involves trapping, banding, and tracking shorebirds with new technologies to study migration, survival rates, molt, and physiological status, among other topics. She has made over 90 presentations at conferences and meetings and has authored over 100 technical reports and scientific publications. She is a member of the Executive Committee of the International Wader Study Group, Global Flyway Network, and Atlantic Flyway Shorebird Initiative. She was the first recipient of the Pablo Canevari Award for Shorebird Conservation in 2000, awarded by the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserves Network (WHSRN). Alongside Allan Baker, Patricia has taught students, park rangers, and volunteers about the ecology and conservation of shorebirds, promoting scientific knowledge and the conservation of key sites. Patricia's dedication to the conservation of shorebirds is an inspiring example of how science and passion can come together to protect our natural world. Her work continues to influence the conservation of these migratory species and their critical habitats across the Americas.
Allan Baker Lifetime Achievement Award for Shorebird Conservation : Dr. Brad Andres
Dr. Brad Andres has been instrumental in fostering collaboration and partnership among diverse stakeholders during his 30-year career with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Brad demonstrated exemplary leadership in advancing shorebird conservation initiatives including facilitating the U.S. Shorebird Conservation Partnership Council, and co-developing the Atlantic,
Pacific, and Midcontinent Flyway Shorebird Conservation Strategies. Brad has been a driving force in raising awareness about the conservation status of shorebirds. His contributions have been vital in prioritizing, guiding, and evaluating conservation actions, and effectively allocating resources. Brad’s contributions were integral to the development and success of the Program for Regional and International Shorebird Monitoring, which continues to provide important status and trend information for Arctic and sub-Arctic breeding shorebirds and was instrumental in the completion of the Shorebird Atlases for Peru and Chile. He led the compilation of the USFWS’ latest Birds of Conservation Concern list and made significant contributions to the State of the Birds reports, the Road to Recovery Tipping Point Species list, Watchlist, and others. His ability to identify critical issues, bridge divides, navigate nuanced policy, and forge alliances has strengthened the collective efforts of the shorebird community in addressing complex challenges. Brad’s dedication to communicating with diverse audiences about shorebirds has informed and inspired many. He is a prolific scientific writer and has contributed over 110 technical reports and peer-reviewed papers. Brad’s numerous popular articles about shorebirds underscore his commitment to engaging with the public about shorebirds. Brad’s vision and leadership led to the first Western Hemisphere Shorebird Group meeting in Boulder, Colorado, in 2006, fostering a culture of scientific expertise, international collaborations, and opportunities for effective conservation of shorebirds and their habitats.
Lew W. Oring Lifetime Achievement Award for Shorebird Research
The Lew W. Oring Lifetime Achievement Award for Shorebird Science was given to both Cheri Gratto-Trevor and Erica Nol in recognition of their exceptional leadership, dedication, and vision, which has profoundly influenced the science and management of shorebirds throughout the Western Hemisphere.
Lew W. Oring Lifetime Achievement Award for Shorebird Research: Dr. Cheri Gratto-Trevor
Dr. Cheri Gratto-Trevor is an accomplished researcher and a leader in the field of shorebird biology, who has had a far-reaching impact on the conservation and management of shorebirds through her 40-plus years of scientific investigation and mentorship Employed as a Research Scientist at Environment and Climate Change Canada (Prairie and Northern Wildlife Research Centre, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan) since 1989, she is a well-known expert in shorebird biology, leading collaborative investigations of demographic mechanisms of population regulation, migratory connectivity, population genetics, and foraging ecology, among others. Cheri’s diverse research publications are highly cited (>3100 times) and have substantially advanced our knowledge base for a diverse range of shorebird species. Cheri’s body of work is foundational to the effective conservation of shorebirds throughout the Western Hemisphere. Her efforts to better understand the annual life cycle of the endangered Piping Plover have helped to identify previously unknown areas used by the species, guiding management agencies to develop conservation plans that prioritize the protection of both non-breeding and breeding habitats. Cheri continues to mentor the next generation of avian enthusiasts. She provides particularly important leadership related to the trapping and marking of shorebirds to ensure that anyone who handles a shorebird can do so in a safe and ethical manner. In addition to producing The North American Bander’s Manual for Shorebirds, she was a key contributor to the development of the Pan American Shorebird Program Marking Protocol, and to the development of hands-on shorebird bander training and North American Banding Council certification. As a certified
trainer, she has led multiple workshops in Canada, as well as in Central and South America, helping to provide all shorebird banders the resources they need to uphold scientific and ethical standards. As one of the first broadly published female shorebird scientists in North America, Cheri has been a role model to countless young biologists over the course of her career. Her wealth of knowledge, sense of humor, and willingness to share her experiences have made her a favorite with the students, who refer to her affectionately as the “oracle”.
Lew W. Oring Lifetime Achievement Award for Shorebird Research: Dr. Erica Nol
For more than 45 years, Dr. Erica Nol has been a leader in the shorebird research community. Beginning with work on Piping Plovers and then Kildeer during her MSc, followed by a PhD on American Oystercatchers under the supervision of Allan Baker, Erica has studied shorebirds throughout the Western Hemisphere and around the world. A common theme of her work is the life history and environmental drivers of variation in reproductive success, and she is perhaps best known for her long-term study of Semipalmated Plovers and other species in Churchill, Manitoba; one of the longest-running studies of reproductive ecology of shorebirds in the world. Erica is passionate about teaching, and one of her greatest contributions to the field of ornithology is the legacy of students that she has mentored. She has supervised 75 graduate students at her home institution of Trent University and has participated on committees for innumerable other students at schools including the University of Toronto, Guelph University,
and Tulane University. She takes great pride in instilling a sense of wonder for the natural world and building an appreciation for science and conservation. She has shaped the careers of many people, and her past students are spread throughout academia, government science and conservation organizations. Erica is extremely active in both research and conservation, having authored more than 175 scientific publications, as well as numerous contributions to shorebird conservation plans and working groups (Oystercatcher, Whimbrel, Yellowlegs, Piping Plovers and others). Her work has provided important scientific and conservation insights into the impacts of climate change on habitat availability in the sub-Arctic, the effects of beach disturbance on wintering shorebirds, the links between environmental variation and reproductive output, and the impacts of overabundant geese on Arctic-breeding shorebird species. Erica has been widely recognized for her leadership in ornithological research, and her mentorship of young researchers. She has been a recipient of the Loye and Alden Miller Research Award from the American Ornithologist’s Society, the Robert Cushman Murphy Prize from the Waterbird Society, the James M. N. Smith Mentoring Award and the Doris Huestis Speirs Award from the Society of Canadian Ornithologists, and the Distinguished Ornithologist Award from the Ontario Field Ornithologists. She has served as president of both the Society of Canadian Ornithologists, and the Waterbird Society, as well as the Chair of her department. She has received numerous awards from Trent University for her research excellence, and her outstanding service to the University.
Pablo Canevari Award: Sandra Giner
To an individual or organization from Latin America or the Caribbean that has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to shorebird conservation, —much the way Pablo Canevari did throughout his life.
Sandra is a pioneer in shorebird research and conservation in Venezuela and has coordinated the National Shorebird Conservation Group, from which she led the proposal that led to the designation of the first WHSRN site of International Importance in the country, Salina Solar Los Olivitos. She has also trained people from different regions of the country, including remote areas, where she has influenced the integration of representatives of indigenous ethnic groups who are active as volunteers for shorebird surveys in the towns on the west coast of the country.
Linking Sites Award: Jim Chu
This award celebrates individuals who exemplify the network’s mission of connecting sites and communities to advance shorebird conservation.
Much of his work was focused on connecting people from important shorebird sites to foster collaborations and partnership work. Jim's efforts always went a step further, generating friendships that have lasted for decades, that have been built on trust and commitment, and that became more than just working relationships. One of the parts of the job that Jim enjoyed most was identifying and supporting the enthusiasm of young researchers and conservationists in Latin America. Support that translates into generations of enthusiasts who have taken shorebird conservation one step further each time, leaving a legacy in every corner of the continent, with almost every shorebird species, that will endure through time.