Volunteer Appreciation

Honorary Life Members

 

Recipients of the Loran L.

 

2007 Volunteers of the Year

 

2006 Volunteers of the Year

 

2005 Volunteers of the Year

 

2004 Volunteers of the Year

 

2003 Volunteers of the Year

 

2002 Volunteers of the Year

 

2001 Volunteers of the Year

 

Data Contributions

 

Honorary Life Members

• Dorothy Dickson
• Don Stiles

• Dawn Dickinson

• Edgar T. Jones
• Glen Semenchuk
  
• Ian Halladay
• Pat Clayton

 

Recipients of Loran Goulden Award

•   1976: Dick Dekker–Edmonton: Field naturalists, researcher, writer, self-taught amateur naturalist

•  1977: W.Ray Salt–Edmonton: Provincial bird specialist; writer of Birds of Alberta and other bird books, who encouraged amateurs especially bird-banders.
•  1978: Charles D. Bird–Calgary: Botanist and butterfly specialist, coordinator of province-wide natural history studies by amateurs.
•  1979: Robert Lister–Edmonton: Birder, newspaper columnist on birding, Christmas Bird Count promoter, author.
•  1980: Joy Finlay–Edmonton: Environmental educator and author.
•  1981: John M. Powell–Edmonton: Conservationist and administrator.
•  1982: Lois Fenna–Edmonton: Environmental educator of field study centre.
•  1983: Martin McNicholl–Edmonton: Birder, author, coordinator of amateur research.
•  1984: Fred Schultz–Bluffton: Self-taught amateur birder and naturalist, local newspaper nature columnist.
•  1985: George Freeman–Camrose: Waterfowl habitat conservationist and youth educator.
•  1986: Tim Myres–Calgary: Birder, conservation leader, author.
•  1987: Kerry Wood–Red Deer: Naturalist, author, communicator.
•  1988: Marg Reine–Edmonton: Conservationist, protected area manager, botanist.
•  1989: Mary Lore–Calgary: Environmental educator, coordinator of province-wide school projects on natural history.
•  1990: Lloyd Lohr–Stettler: Self-taught birder and natural history observer.
•  1991: Cam Finlay–Edmonton: Birder, director of Canada’s first urban nature centre, natural history promoter.
•  1992: Myrna Pearman–Red Deer: Birder, nest box and bird feeder specialist, educator.
•  1993: Jack Park–Edmonton: Self-taught birder, coordinator of Breeding Bird Survey across Alberta, nest box trail promoter.
•  1994: Duncan Mackintosh–Lethbridge: Bluebirds Nest-box trail, natural history promoter.
•  1995: Beryl Hallworth–Calgary: Botanist, author, protected area advocate.
•  1996: Don Stiles–Calgary: Self-taught birder, bluebird trail specialist.
•  1997: Hope Johnson–Medicine Hat: Self-taught dinosaur enthusiast, illustrator, writer.
•  1999: Cheryl Bradley–Lethbridge: Conservationist, botanist, protected areas advocate.
•  2000: Ben Gadd – Jasper- author, educator, advocate
•  2001: Patsy Cotterill – Edmonton: many years of volunteerism and advocacy.
•  2003: Dawn Dickinson- Medicine Hat -long time advocate for protected areas, author
•  2003: Olga Droppo-Calgary – Educator, researcher, author,
•  2004: John McFaul- Calgary – dedicated conservation leader, presenter
•  2005: Dennis Baresco –Medicine Hat – leader, educator
• 2006: Glen Semenchuk – Edmonton – FAN Executive Director, leader in conservation
• 2007: Margot Hervieux – Grand Prairie – Educator, nature interpretation, volunteer
• 2009: Lu Carbyn - Edmonton-researcher, ecologist, educator and businessman
  

 

2009 Awards

 

Loran Goulden Award: Lu Carbyn

 

“Dr. Carbyn's research interests have included avian ecology, ecosystem biology (grasslands), and studies on mammals in several western and northern Canadian national parks. He became a biologist with the Canadian Wildlife Service in 1967 and a research scientist in 1974. From 1989 to 1993, he headed the Canadian Swift Fox Reintroduction program as chairman of the Recovery Team. Carbyn is the Canadian member of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Wolf Specialist Group and Canid Group, and is currently an Emeritus Research Scientist with the Canadian Wildlife Service in Edmonton, Alberta.”

 

Currently, he is working with University of Alberta students to give them an appreciation of the issues and concerns in this province, teaching a course called: Wildlife-Human Activities: Conflicts, Assessment and Mitigation.

He and his wife Jayanne operate the Wildbird General store, which gives him another venue for delivering his numerous wildlife education projects, particularly to groups of small children, but to Edmonton Nature Club and FAN members, as well as many others. He is active with the Young Naturalists committee of FAN, and has been an active Board member of the Edmonton Nature Club for many years.

(From the Nomination by Sandra Foss)

Frank and Alice Harper Memorial Award: Greg Pohl

In short, he has been the heart and soul of the club.

 

As one of the founding members of Alberta Lepidopterists' Guild (ALG), Greg contributed substantially to the inaugural

meeting in Olds, Alberta. He has been secretary, treasurer and president and showed considerable

persistence in working to formally register the club, including building the club constitution.

Greg has been by far the most indispensable and hard-working member of

ALG. He has managed the email listserve, which is essential for regular communication

with

club members, and has organized and provided most of the content for the

website (http://www.biology.ualberta.ca/uasm/alg/index.html

).  He has overseen the adjudication and disbursement of awards, and

has personally arranged to fund the Wolley Dod Award for the best Alberta Lepidoptera

discovery of the year. In 2003 he was a key member of the organizing committee that hosted

an international Lepidopterists’ Society meeting in Olds. Throughout this time, Greg and his

family have regularly hosted meetings once or twice annually.  He has also been very active in outreach at multiple levels, including organizing major public events such as at the Edmonton Valley Zoo and taking the time to drive at his own expense to Medicine Hat to meet

with and encourage a keen new member who was unable to travel. He was the primary person to

organize a strong response by the club to a corporate proposal to drill multiple gas wells in the

Suffield Reserve and has served conscientiously on both Alberta’s Endangered Species

Conservation Committee (Scientific Subcommittee) since 2007, and on the COSEWIC

Arthropods Specialist Subcommittee since 2004. In recent years, Greg has showed excellent

diplomatic skills in liaising with FAN to develop an insect collecting policy for FAN that is

supportive of both collectors and watchers and encourages an ethical environmental stance that

provides a foundation for evidence-based conservation management. Throughout this process,

Greg was able to avoid polarizing the debate or alienating those who chose other avenues of

nature appreciation.

 

(From the nomination by Dr. Felix Sperling [98%])

 

 

Volunteer of the Year Award

 

The Volunteer of the Year award was given as group award. Nature Alberta has four wonderful people proofreading the magazine, and they have done a fabulous job for over four years. This year's award goes to Elaine Cathcart from Cochrane Alberta, Marilyn Ross from Brampton Ontario, Val Scholefield from Calgary Alberta, and June Vermeulen

from Calgary Alberta.

 

 2008 AWARDS

 

Honourary Life Member: Glen Semenchuk

 

Glen was awarded the Honourary Life Member award for over 20 years of dedicated service to FAN, both as a volunteer and as the Executive Director. His time, energy, and dedication were much greater than duty would demand. 

 

Glen began a FAN with the first Alberta Bird Atlas Project which was published in 1992. He became involved with the raising of over $2 million  for the Wild Alberta  project of the Royal Alberta Museum. You can see the result of his tireless work at the "Alberta Wildlife Gallery" at the Royal Alberta Museum in Edmonton. 

 

Glen has served and represented FAN on numerous government committees and various recovery teams, studying threatened and endangered species. For ten years Glen also served on the board of the Alberta Conservation Association. Today Glen continues to use his expertise on Alberta wildlife to serve on various boards and committees in order to protect Alberta's Natural History.

 

For all his excellent work Glen has received numerous awards including the Loran Goulden Award and,  three times, the Premier's Award of Excellence. Glen leadership and continuous contributions to Natural History have been invaluable to Alberta's Wildlife.

 

 

Frank and Alice Harper Memorial Award

 

Bill Heinsen has been a hard-working director for the Red Deer River Naturalists

(RDRN) since 1996, serving in a number of capacities, including two years as President, and was actively involved in organizing the Nature Canada Conference in 2006. His behind the scenes work in organizing and administering for RDRN has been exceptional. He is RDRN's webmaster and has developed a very extensive and impressive website that includes historical information, bird records, newsletters and events.

 

Bill has been a tireless advocate for natural history education and conservation. He rewrote the Young Naturalist handbooks and parent manuals, entailing research into youth activities and graphic design. He oversaw and produced NatureScape Alberta: Creating and Caring for Wildlife at Home in 2000, and produced and marketed the Mountain Bluebird Trail Monitoring Guide

  in 2002.

 

VOLUNTEER AWARDS: Judy Boyd, Suzanne Visser

 

1. Judy Boyd of Red Deer

: For her incredible work as the compiler of the May Bird Count for three years, coordinator of the Red Deer River Naturalists and developing the Young Naturalists Program in addition to being on the FAN board.

 

2. Suzanne Visser of Calgary:

For her volunteer work in the May Plant Species Count for years and especially for taking full responsibility in 2008 as compiler for the Provincial May Plant Species count.

 

FAN AWARDS 2007

FAN HONOURARY LIFE MEMBER: Dawn Dickinson

 

 Throughout the twenty-eight years that Dawn Dickinson has lived in southeastern Alberta, she has worked with passion and dedication for the conservation of prairie habitat and wildlife. A long-time Executive member of the Society of Grasslands Naturalists, Ms Dickinson has played a major role in virtually all conservation issues in which the organization has been involved. The Grasslands Naturalists have long been recognized for the role it has played in protecting the grasslands of southeastern Alberta, and, without a doubt, Dawn Dickinson's ceaseless involvement is the major reason.

As a professional zoologist, Ms Dickinson's wide-ranging knowledge, expertise and skills have been vitally important in all of the area's conservation initiatives. She has always exhibited a single-minded determination to base decisions on sound science. That is an attitude that has not always been popular with some special interests and individuals. However, Ms Dickinson has never wavered nor been intimidated from abandoning her principles, and she is widely respected for her credibility and integrity.

To list all of Ms Dickinson's accomplishments would be impossible, but following are some of the highlights:

As mentioned, Ms Dickinson, as an Executive member, is and has been the major player with the Grasslands Naturalists in conservation issues.  She has also assisted in the growth of the group through:

• a) her time as Program Coordinator, bringing in many excellent speakers to increase club members knowledge and understanding;

• b) as Editor, expanding the GN newsletter, the Sagebrush Chronicle:

• c) Federation of Alberta Naturalist Director representing GN for approximately ten years

• d) the main organizer of a successful prairie art exhibit

Ms Dickinson has taken part in many workshops, open houses and public meetings, as well as writing briefs, to provide the naturalist perspective on pipeline construction, oil & gas drilling, wetlands and water management, legislation and policy such as endangered species, biodiversity, environmental assessment, and Special Places 2000.

She was a member of the Citizens Environmental Protection Committee of Project Swiftsure, which was the Department of National Defence's response to public concern regarding the safe disposal of stored chemical warfare agents at CFB Suffield The process that evolved with the committee is considered to be one of the most successful of its kind in Canada,

Ms Dickinson was the sole committee member on the controversial CFB Suffield feral horse committee to insist on scientifically valid ecological decisions and respect for the committee process. While her attempts were for naught, area residents and Base workers still, to this day, mention how she gained their respect and admiration for her honourable and, in the face of threats and considerable verbal abuse, her courageous stand.

Ms Dickinson has been especially active in the Cypress Hills. One of her most successful activities on behalf of this "Jewel of the Provincial Parks system" was the Cypress Hills Forest Management Workshop. This ambitious symposium attracted scientists from several states and provinces. Ms Dickinson planned the original idea, chaired the organizing committee, co-edited the proceedings and arranged publication.

As well, she provided vital input into the Cypress Hills Master Plan revision, was on the two-year Cypress Hills Interprovincial Committee, and was a member of the Cypress Hills Research Steering Committee. She initiated a partnership between GN, PFRA and a Cypress Hills rancher to rehabilitate a wetland in mixed grass prairie at Bare Creek. Presently, she is preparing to sit on the Elk Management Team. More than that, she is constantly in touch with Park managers to provide her considerable expertise on management issues.

During Special Places 2000, Ms Dickinson nominated the unglaciated fescue grasslands on the south slopes of the Cypress Hills (outside the Park). The nomination was rejected, but that didn't stop her determination. The area was about to be subject to gas and pipeline development, and she worked diligently to persuade Alberta Energy Corporation of the area's significance. This resulted, to AEC's credit, in a rare plant and wildlife inventory being completed throughout the area in both Alberta and Saskatchewan, even though these were not required under the regulations. Fewer wells were drilled than previously planned and some access roads and feeder pipelines re-sited.

Ms Dickinson has also done a considerable amount of writing as another method of conservation, including: film scripts for Karvonen Films; a brochure on sharp-tailed grouse for Fish & Wildlife; a reference on Cypress Hills ungulates; and Prairie River, the excellent wildlife and canoe guide to the South Saskatchewan River, and A Flight of Deer.

As a response to a considerable amount of spin-doctoring concerning the "benefits" of the Meridian Dam, Ms Dickinson planned and coordinated a workshop to inform the public about the cost, effects and problems with the dam. This was the first time that the public was able to hear about the negative effects in one place and at one time. The workshop was very successful, and certainly one of the underlying factors that led to the shelving of the dam.

Ms Dickinson has been part of many conservation committees; presently, she is a member of the Sage-Grouse recovery team. However, she has also given her time toward more leisurely initiatives, including Breeding Bird Surveys, Alberta Bird Atlas, spring and winter bird counts, and GN field trips.

Dawn Dickinson's commitment to the grasslands has been nothing short of extraordinary. Her writings and activities have allowed people to see the grasslands more clearly and with greater understanding. She has successfully gained the respect of many of the area's ranchers. She has kept those responsibly for grassland management on their toes. Even when not directly successful, her tenacity and valid arguments "raise the bar" and most certainly have a long term, positive effect.

Dawn was presented with the Prairie Conservation & Endangered Species award in February 2004. The award is given once every 3 years, in each Prairie province for outstanding contributions to grasslands conservation.

Currently, since 2006, Dawn has been working very hard on two issues……the siting wind turbines and the threat of gas wells in Suffield National Wildlife Area. Dawn is a key member of the Suffield Coalition group, doing much research on the area, to prepare for a Panel hearing.

Dawn is also working on the threats of industrial wind operations in SE Alberta, and helping develop a Workshop to educate the public and the pros and cons of wind power operations

LOREN GOULDEN AWARD: MARGOT HERVIEUX

Ms Hervieux, one of the founders of the Peace Parkland Naturalists, has been a vital part of FAN for 20 years.  A writer and researcher, she is also a superb educator and nature interpreter, bringing awareness and understanding to children and adults about nature in Alberta.

FRANK AND ALICE HARPER MEMORIAL AWARD: Lorna Allen

FAN introduced a new award this year, the Frank and Alice Harper Memorial Award – dedicated to a Lethbridge couple who worked ceaselessly to ensure the success of their local naturalist group.

Recipient for 2007 was Lorna Allen of Edmonton.  As a founding member, in 1986, of the Alberta Native Plant Council, Lorna was integral to the inception and development of the group and has logged a remarkable 22 years of dedicated volunteer service.

VOLUNTEER AWARDS: Dick Clayton, John McFaul, Greg Wagner

Three outstanding Volunteers were each presented with a 2007 Volunteer Award:

• 1.  Dick Clayton of Edmonton: For the tremendous amount of work done over the years as FAN's Membership Secretary and as Nature Alberta’s Circulation Manager.

• 2.  John McFaul of Calgary: For his continuing Nature Alberta column, his contribution to FAN’s website, and assisting FAN in other activities.
  

• 3.  Greg Wagner of Cochrane: For furthering FAN’s objectives in researching and assisting with some important issues of the day as well as past volunteerism.

 

 

2006 Awards

 

FAN 2006 Awards

 

Presented March 31st 2007 at the Edmonton Nature Club and FAN AGM banquet in Edmonton. Our congratulations to all!

VOLUNTEERS AWARDS
Four outstanding Volunteers with the Alberta Bird Atlas Project were presented with Awards. Each of them provided a great many volunteer hours and added immensely to the success of the Atlas project through their dedication, passion and experience. Congratulations from all Albertans goes out to Lois Burkinshaw (Innisfail AB), Joan Kerr (Beaverlodge AB), Ted Hindmarch (Cold Lake AB) and Andy Murphy (Lacombe AB).

Don Stiles: HONOURARY LIFE MEMBER AWARD
Don Stiles has been a steady and enduring force in the Natural history community since 1976, and has influenced conservation in many areas in the province.

His volunteer work for FAN has been astounding: on the FAN Board, as CFNS representative from 1980 until late 1990s, and since then an appointed Director; FAN rep on the Alberta Prairie Conservation Forum; FAN Vice-President, President, Past President (for an extended period) and Recording Secretary; long active in research as a FAN volunteer, soliciting and coordinating other volunteers for a wide variety of flora and fauna counts; and long-time Calgary Regional Coordinator for the Bird Atlas.

His contributions are many and invaluable and, in recognition, he received the prestigious Loran Goulden Award (1995). Don still attends a wide variety of meetings for FAN.

Outside of FAN, Don was on the CFNS University Prairie Research team (until the land was dug up for the Alberta Children’s Hospital). Don, for many years, attended Calgary Council Meetings and reviewed and commented on developments in many areas of the city from a natural history perspective, giving input to Council on behalf of CFNS. He has been involved for many years with CFNS, receiving the “Life Member” award in 1998.

The organizer and leader of many field trips, Don has shared his love and knowledge of the world around him with many others. In 1979, he started the Calgary Bluebird Trail network and this has grown to the point where many thousands of bluebirds and tree swallows owe their existence to the efforts of this group. Don has himself maintained a Bluebird Trail for over 25 years. He has truly made a difference!

Glen Semenchuk: LORAN GOULDEN AWARD

Glen’s involvement with FAN spans 18 years: from the start of The Atlas of Breeding Birds of Alberta project in 1988; to his hiring as Executive Director; to his hard work on the internationally acclaimed, Royal Museum of Alberta wildlife gallery, “Wild Alberta”; to the about-to-be published Atlas of Breeding Birds of Alberta: A Second Look.

During that time, Glen has raised millions of dollars, started dozens of conservation projects, volunteered a tremendous number of hours, been a formidable presence in countless wildlife management issues, built FAN into a greatly respected and widely recognized naturalist organization, taught courses, and represented FAN and its clubs innumerable times - from local to international. He has been a coach, mentor and educator for the organization and the general public. Glen’s name and voice are synonymous with FAN, but also with conservation efforts throughout this province

To list just some of his accomplishments:

1. He was a founding member of the Alberta Conservation Association (“ACA”), served as Chair for its first 3 years and is presently Chair of ACA’s Grant Eligible Committee.
2. He was Chair of the Edmonton Community Lottery Board Grant Committee during its existence.
3. He served on the Board of Alberta Ecotrust.
4. He has represented FAN on numerous Government committees studying threatened and endangered wildlife management issues such as the Caribou Recovery Team, Grizzly Bears, and Forest Management
5. He has encouraged, supported and coached FAN volunteers, and FAN member clubs.
6. He has always supported the hiring of students for summer employment, providing valuable experience in the completion of their studies. Many former summer-student employees have gone on to work for other conservation agencies and organizations in Alberta and elsewhere.
7. He was instrumental in guiding the project leader and volunteers of the Update of the Atlas of Breeding Birds of Alberta, the Important Bird Areas Project, Living by Water Project, Alberta Birdlist Program, Prairie Nest Records Scheme, Provincial Bird Species List, and Opportunities for Birders.
8. Glen encourages the initiation of conservation and wildlife management projects by teaching courses on effective fund-raising techniques.
9. He has raised over $2 million towards, and worked in conjunction with, the Royal Museum of Alberta (formerly the Provincial Museum of Alberta) to complete the wildlife gallery, Wild Alberta, which has been hailed as one of the best wildlife showcases worldwide. He is presently working with the Royal Museum of Alberta in the planning and building of its expansion, including a Resource Room that will be facilitated by FAN and the ACA.
10. He must be commended for making publications of natural history a top priority of FAN, thereby contributing to the education of the general public on conservation matters and knowledge of Alberta’s rich wildlife.
11. Besides supporting authors of wildlife publications, Glen co-authored (with Dr. W. Bruce McGillivray) a book on bird identification, The Federation of Alberta Naturalists Field Guide to Alberta Birds (1998)
12. Along the way to achieving its vision FAN has received the Premiers Award of Excellence (1998 & 2004), the Emerald Award (1992), the Bighorn Award (1990), and the ESSO Volunteer Recognition Award.

Glen Semenchuk has benefited from his involvement by becoming known as the voice of conservation in Alberta, and gaining the respect of a huge community....from the Museum, to the FAN board and volunteers, politicians, industry, native leaders and the entire environmental community. He has made our Alberta natural history organization one of
the strongest in Canada!

2005 Volunteers of the Year

(See Photo Gallery)

• Brian Parker - Edmonton, received one of FAN’s Volunteer awards for his efforts as Editor of the FAN magazine, Nature Alberta, and for his re - creation of the magazine in a much more appealing and readable format.
• Henry Binder of Redcliff - received a Volunteer award for his very thorough and comprehensive research reports on a variety of issues, including wind farms, use of strychnine, and the economics of the rush to extract all remaining petroleum resources from Alberta.

2004 Volunteers of the Year

• David Penner
• Elaine Gordon
• Margaret Glasford

2003 Volunteers of the Year

• Ruth Klienbub
• Harvey Gardner
• Petra Rowell

2002 Volunteers of the Year

• Don Stiles
• Dick and Pat Clayton

2001 Volunteers of the Year

• Margo Hervieux
• Derek Johnson
• Jim Lange
• Andrew Slater
• Don Stiles

Data Contributions

The Federation of Alberta Naturalists would like to thank Golder and Associates for contributing their bird survey data.

Loran Goulden Award - Description (See Nomination)

What Is the Loran L. Goulden Memorial Award?

Named for a respected Alberta naturalist, this award is given annually by the Federation of Alberta Naturalists (FAN) for outstanding contributions to natural history in Alberta.

Award Criteria

• The award recognizes both specific and long-term aggregate contributions to any field of Alberta natural history.
• Nominations must be for work conducted in the province, but nominees need not live in Alberta.
• Key accomplishments follow Loran Goulden’s example: foster amateur natural history study, contribute to our knowledge of Alberta natural history, support conservation of Alberta’s natural heritage, show leadership, and be willing to share one’s knowledge.

Selection Process

• Nominations in writing will be accepted at any time, but must be received by December 1 for consideration for the following year.
• All unsuccessful nominees will be reconsidered each year, but nominators are urged to update those nominations.
• Selection by panel of knowledgeable and committed naturalists.

Who Was Loran Goulden?

The contributions of amateurs to natural history in general, and the study of birds in particular, are widely acknowledged by professionals. Loran Goulden was an Alberta example of the outstanding role amateurs can play in the natural sciences.

After arriving Edmonton in 1971, employed as a photographer, Loran first gained notice when he expressed concerns about conservation of the Suffield area and national parks in Alberta. However, his main natural history focus was to develop his knowledge of birds and ornithology – a recently acquired and mostly self-taught interest.

Over the next three years, Loran devoted himself to studying Alberta birds in the field and in publications. In short order, he became so knowledgeable of this topic that he was conducting bird censuses and coordinating others in the study of natural history. He wrote extensively about Alberta birds in natural history periodicals.

In addition, Loran played a leadership role in the Federation of Alberta Naturalists, the Edmonton Natural History Club and the Edmonton Bird Club. His enthusiasm and his willingness to share his knowledge through talks and writings motivated fellow naturalists.

In 1974 at the age of 27, shortly after taking a job as a professional biologist, Loran Goulden was killed in a plane crash in B.C. His fellow naturalists in Edmonton felt his accomplishments should be recognized and so established the Loran L. Goulden Memorial Award–this is the highest accolade that naturalists have to offer to those special individuals who stand out within the naturalist community.

Loran Goulden Award - Nominations (See Description)

Nominations are due each year by December 1st, for selection the following year.

Please provide the following information:

• Name and address of the nominee
• Name and address of nominator
• Description of the nominee’s accomplishments related to the criteria for the award
• List of publications if pertinent
• Any supportive statements of nominee’s accomplishments

Send your nominations to:

Chairman, Loran L. Goulden Memorial Award Selection Committee,
c/o Federation of Alberta Naturalists
11759 Groat Road
Edmonton, Alberta T5M 3K6

OR

• Contact Us