2019 Dr. George H. Lowery Award:

The Louisiana Ornithological Society recognizes and honors DR. ERIK I. JOHNSON on this 27th day of April 2019 for his major contributions to birding and bird conservation in Louisiana on both professional and avocational levels. Shortly after receiving his PhD from Louisiana State University, Erik joined Audubon Louisiana as a Conservation Biologist. His strong leadership and successful initiatives has led to his appointment as Director of Bird Conservation at Audubon Louisiana. Erik’s body of work includes developing and leading Audubon’s Coastal Bird Survey along the central Gulf Coast, developing Louisiana’s beach-nesting bird stewardship program, coordinating with the Paul J. Rainey Audubon Sanctuary on managing marsh birds and collaborating with local landowners to save coastal marshes through the Rainey Conservation Alliance. Working with Louisiana’s birding community, Erik serves as Louisiana’s Christmas Bird Count Regional Editor in addition to compiling several CBC’s, is a member of the Louisiana Birds Records Committee, co-directs the Louisiana Bird Observatory and serves as an officer in the Baton Rouge Audubon Society. Erik has published numerous articles in ornithological journals and birding magazines. And, most importantly, Erik always finds the time to answer questions and mentor birders in the field.

Marty Guidry presents the Lowery Award to Erik Johnson at the 2019 Spring meeting of the LOS.

LOS President’s Awards:

The Louisiana Ornithological Society recognizes and honors CYNDI SELLERS on this 27th day of April 2019 for her steadfast commitment to birds and birders in Cameron Parish. For many years Cyndi has been the cornerstone in arranging and hosting LOS meetings in Cameron Parish. Additionally, she has coordinated with the leadership of the Cameron Parish Christmas Bird Counts to secure birding areas and arrange lodging for CBC birders. Cyndi also strongly supports birds and conservation in Cameron Parish through her articles in the “Cameron Pilot” and by informing the Louisiana birding community of upcoming issues affecting Cameron Parish birds and land conservation. Cyndi’s welcoming attitude, generosity and willingness to assist LOS and birders over these many years are truly appreciated by the Louisiana birding community.

The Louisiana Ornithological Society recognizes and honors JOANN NUNEZ on this 27th day of April 2019 for her strong support of the Louisiana Ornithological Society and LOS birders. Joann consistently coordinates with the Cameron Parish Tourist Commission and the Cameron Parish Police Jury to ensure LOS meetings in Cameron Parish are enjoyable and productive. For many years through the Tourist Commission she has provided the meals, snacks and tokens of appreciation at the Friday evening LOS meetings. During LOS weekends Joann has secured free access to the Cameron Parish Jetty Park so birders can enjoy the numerous and diverse species of birds there. We thank Joann for her many years of assistance to LOS and the Louisiana birding community.

Marty Guidry presents the President's Award to Cyndi Sellers and Joan Nunez at the 2019 Spring meeting of the LOS.

The Louisiana Ornithological Society recognizes and honors DANIEL A. MOONEY on this 27th day of April 2019 for his contributions to Louisiana birding and bird conservation. Dan has long been involved with the Louisiana Bird Observatory where he is a primary bander at the Baton Rouge Bluebonnet Swamp. In this position he has worked with other ornithologists on several research projects including studying molt patterns in neotropical birds and observing bird survival in a habitat island within an urban area. For several years Dan has been Field Trips & Activities Chair within the Baton Rouge Audubon Society. In this position he regularly introduces trip participants to the diversity and wealth of birds in southeast Louisiana. Dan often assists researchers in their field work as, for example, tracking yellow rails with VHF telemetry monitors during late fall in the southwestern Louisiana rice fields. For several years Dan has co-compiled the Baton Rouge Christmas Bird Count – a key inland CBC. Whether banding birds or leading a field trip, Dan always is available to answer questions from novice or experienced birders.

Marty Guidry presents the President's Award to Daniel Mooney at the 2019 Spring meeting of the LOS.

The Louisiana Ornithological Society recognizes and honors LOUIS BONNETTE on this 27th day of April 2019 for his strong support of birding and conservation issues. An award-winning sports information director at McNeese State University, Louis began a new career after retirement as an outdoors columnist for the “American Press” in Lake Charles. Traditionally, in southwest Louisiana the outdoors columnist focused on hunting and fishing due to the large number of hunters and fishermen in the area. Louis, however, has included superb articles on birds, bird populations and land conservation along with the traditional hunting and fishing articles. And to ensure accuracy in his reporting, Louis has interviewed experts in the birding and conservation community for these articles. His informative articles not only teach his readership about birds and conservation, but also provide key information on developing bird and land conservation issues. The Louisiana birding community thanks Louis for expanding the traditional scope of the outdoors column to include the total flora and fauna of southwest Louisiana.

David Booth and Louis Bonnette at the 2019 Spring meeting of the LOS.