Fundación Conservación Marina

Luis was awarded the Allan Baker Lifetime Achievement award in 2022, for his extensive contributions to ornithology and shorebird conservation in Chile as part of Fundación Conservación Marina. For 30 years, Luis’ contributions to the knowledge of Hudsonian Godwit, Chilean Flamingo, White-crested Elaenia, and wetlands stand out as relevant for the conservation of aquatic birds in Chile. His experience and knowledge has led to the legal recognition of several wetlands that are critical sites for the conservation of migratory shorebirds in southern Chile. This includes two marine wetlands now part of the Western Hemispheric Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN) and three new Nature Sanctuaries (protected sites in Chile). Luis is one of the creators of the Maullín Ornithological Meeting, a space for dissemination of bird conservation knowledge at the local level, which has inspired many young people to follow the path of ornithology. He also oversaw the design of the “Maullín River Ornithological Park” in southern Chile – the first bird theme park in a natural environment in Chile, and has worked to protect other private areas in the country.

University of Central Venezuela

Sandra is a Researcher-Teacher and Professor of Ornithology and Biogeography at the Central University of Venezuela. She specializes in research on the ecology, distribution, and conservation of birds, particularly shorebirds in diverse habitats including coastal and continental wetlands, and agroecosystems. Her research also explores avian ecology in urban green spaces, emphasizing bird conservation and sustainable development. Since 2005, Sandra has been pioneering studies on shorebird ecology, focusing on temporal and spatial dynamics in Venezuelan coastal stopover sites. She is a founding member of the Venezuelan Union of Ornithologists (UVO) and served in its directive staff from 2009 to 2013. She is also dedicated to education, and has organized and instructed five workshops for shorebird identification and conservation in Venezuela since 2016, supported by the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network.

Research Wildlife Biologist Emeritus from the U. S. Geological Survey (USGS), Alaska Science Center, United States

Bob Gill was awarded the Lewis W. Oring Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022 for his significant research contributions on the movement ecology, conservation, and breeding biology of shorebirds. A federal government biologist with USGS, he has used his 55-year research career to produce outstanding science through collaboration with international teams, government colleagues, and students and academics. His research encompasses the migration, population, and breeding ecology of some 20 species, including several poorly known montane- and alpine-nesting species such as the Bristle-thighed Curlew, Bar-tailed Godwit, Wandering Tattler, Red Knot, Surfbird, and Baird’s Sandpiper. His pioneering work on Bar-tailed Godwits and Bristle-thighed Curlews redefined extreme-endurance migration. Most of the science Bob has been involved with has been driven by conservation planning and actions, and he has played key roles in various national and international organizations. Bob was a co-founder of the Alaska Shorebird Group, made major contributions to development of the initial U.S. and Canadian Shorebird Conservation plans, served as the North American representative to the International Wader Study Group and the Shorebird Working Group of the East Asian–Australasian Flyway Partnership, and contributed a helping hand in launching the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Group.