Taking Nominations for the Inaugural Bluebird Award!
By Karen Fullen, Golden Eagle Audubon Board Member
The Golden Eagle Audubon Society Board of Directors is excited to announce the first annual Bluebird Award, which will be presented at the Bluebird Jubilee: A Larson Legacy Fundraiser on April 25, 2026! YOU can nominate a deserving person.
Made possible through encouragement and a generous donation from a longtime member, and named in honor of our Chapter’s co-founder Al Larson, the Bluebird Award will recognize individuals contributing to our Mission:
Golden Eagle Audubon is dedicated to building an
understanding, appreciation, and respect for the natural world
In order to conserve and restore natural ecosystems for birds and other wildlife.
This link provides the nomination instructions to submit your entry(ies). Only current Golden Eagle Audubon Chapter Members may submit nominations for the Bluebird Award. Nominations will be received by the Bluebird Award Committee, which will use the criteria on the nomination instruction sheet to narrow the top 10% of nominees to present to the Board. The Board will select the awardee. Nominations will be accepted from February 17 to March 31, 2026.
The Bluebird Award will continue a tradition of recognizing outstanding efforts towards conserving Idaho’s birds and the habitats on which they depend. Past Golden Eagle Audubon Society award recipients are:
Cecil Andrus (1981) - for efforts as Secretary of Interior protecting air and water quality, natural resources, wildlife, and wild lands and rivers.
Ruth Melichar (1982) - for devoted efforts caring for sick and injured birds.
Liven A. Peterson, Jr. (1983) - for lifetime devotion and persistent efforts in wise development, protection, and enhancement of water quality and fish and wildlife habitat; igniting conservation interest in others through volunteer work, writing, and photography; and being a driving force behind getting the GEAS Chapter started.
Levi Mohler (1984) - for pioneering the wildlife management profession and mentoring other professionals, inspiring interest in the natural world, and service to various conservation organizations.
Alfred G. Larson (1985) - for his open-hearted and exhilarating love for birds, unending desire to share bird knowledge with others, enthusiasm for establishing and managing bluebird habitats, and educating others.
Leon R. Powers (1986) - for his enthusiasm establishing and teaching classes about birds of prey, encouraging other conservationists, and guiding others in ornithological research.
Harold Miles (1987) - for diligent and dedicated devotion to good resource management and time, energy and personal resources spent being a watchdog for everyone’s natural resources.
Hugh Harper (1988) - for shaping beneficial natural resource management programs and steadfast dedication and service to conservation organizations.
Hilda Larson (1990) - for selflessly giving time, energy and willingness to take on any task, providing a base for a strong and effective chapter.
William R. Meiners (1991) - for a lifetime devoted to management of public lands and leadership in conservation organizations; being a charter member of the Chapter and Board member; and a driving force behind establishment of the Birds of Prey Natural Area.
Sean Finn (2025) - For twenty years of dedication to GEAS and our community, and tireless efforts to make Idaho a better place for birds and all wildlife that call The Gem State home; and for leadership, vision, and stewardship of the Native Plant Network.
