The Louisiana Ornithological Society (LOS) was organized in 1947 to gather and disseminate accurate information concerning the bird life of the western hemisphere and of Louisiana; to promote interest in and appreciation of the value of birds, both aesthetic and economic, which will ensure wiser conservation of our bird life; to promote opportunity for acquaintance and fellowship among those interested in nature; and to issue, at such times as possible or practicable, publications as a means of furthering these ends.
History
Current Officers
LOS Awards
LOS Grants
Meeting Minutes
Legal Documents

How it all began:

The organizational meeting of the Louisiana Ornithological Society was held on December 8,1947 in the old cafeteria on the campus of Tulane University. Much advance work had been done, principally by Earle R. Greene who has always been considered the Founder of the LOS.

The necessary formalities were concluded on that first night to bring the new organization into existence, a Constitution and Bylaws were adopted and officers were elected. Earle Green was named President, George H. Lowery, Jr., Vice-President and Dr Gladys King, Secretary-Treasurer. These, together with Col. Francis Eastman, Dr. Robert M. Lockwood and Buford M. Myers, made up the first Board of Directors.

Since that time, LOS has grown to over 625 members, including 131 Life members. The present membership covers not only Louisiana but 28 other states, Canada and Kuwait.


Presidents of the LOS:
1947-48 - Erle R. Greene
1948-49 - George H. Lowery Jr.
1949-50 - no record
1950-51 - Rossiter D. Olmstead
1951-52 - Fr. J. L. Dorn
1952-53 - Robert Krebs
1953-54 - Bob Moore
1954-55 - Horace H. Jeter
1955-56 - Robert J. Newman
1956-57 - John P. Gee
1957-58 - J. Harvey Roberts
1958-59 - James R. Stewart
1959-60 - Miss Ava R. Tabor
1960-62 - Buford M. Myers
1962-63 - Miss Mary Lewis
1963-64 - Stephen Russell
1964-65 - Ralph Andrews
1965-66 - Hugh Land
1966-68 - Marshall B. Eyster
1968-69 - Jacob M. Valentine
1969-71 - Dr. Robert D. Purrington
1971-73 - Dr. Lawrence O'Meallie
1973 - Robert Hamilton
1973-75 - Dr. David Tom Kee
1975-77 - Dr. Robert Noble
1977-79 - Mrs. Grace Eyster
1979-80 - Joe Kennedy
1980-82
1982-84 - Mac Myers
1984-86 - Dr. Temple Douglas
1986-87 - David Muth
1987-89 - Bruce Crider
1989-91 - Nancy Newfield
1991-93 - Charles Lyon
1993-95 - Roger Breedlove
1995-97 - Dave Patton
1997-98 - Matt Courtman
1998-2000 - David J. L'Hoste
2000-2002 - R. Martin Guidry
2002-2004 - Rosemary Seidler
2004-2006 - Karen A. Fay
2006-2007 - Bill Fontenot
2007-2009 - Nancy Menasco
2009-2011 - Linda Stewart-Knight
2012-2014 - Ed Wallace
2015-2016 - Marty Floyd
2016-2019 - Steve Cardiff
2019-2021 - John Dillon
2021 -         David Booth
LOS Officers
NamePositionAddressPhoneEmail
David BoothPresident5524 Alexander Lane
Lake Charles, LA 70605
337-526-0837
david@boothenvironmental.com
James SmithersVice President420 10th Street
Lake Charles, LA 70601
337-263-0393
jamessmithers.js@gmail.com
Roselie OverbySecretaryP.O. Box 741
Oak Grove, LA 71263
318-428-3490/
318-282-0414

rosebird49@gmail.com
Mark PethkeTreasurer5655 Hickory Ridge Blvd.
Baton Rouge, LA 70817
225-772-5677
mdpethke@gmail.com
John DillonPast President183 Dance Road
Athens, LA 71003
318-243-2284
kisforkryptonite@gmail.com
Board Members
NameAddressPhoneEmail
Katie B. Barnes114 Indian Mound Road
Lafayette, LA 70501
412-997-3017
katie.barnes@audubon.org
Harriett Pooler2439 Creekwood Dr.
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
225-456-3106
harriett.pooler@gmail.com
Joan Brown41 Hays Dr.
Rayville, LA 71269
318-355-3915
joanhbrown47@gmail.com

LOS Publications
NamePositionPhoneEmail
John DillonLOS News Editor318-243-2284
kisforkryptonite@gmail.com
Robert C. DobbsJournal of Louisiana Ornithology Editor
rcdobbs@gmail.com
Paul E. ConoverLOS/LBRC Webmaster
zoiseaux@lusfiber.net
Donna L. DittmannLBRC Newsletter Editor225-642-5763
donnaldittmann@gmail.com
LOS 2019 AWARDS

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.

 

LOS Grants

GUIDELINES FOR LOS GRANT REQUESTS

Grant Proposal requests should be submitted to LOS by January 15 of each year. The Committee will have its recommendations to the LOS Board of Directors by February 15. The LOS Board will approve the grant by March 1.
                 
All proposals must be based on Louisiana Birds. Study subject should be a situation unique to Louisiana. Priority given to studies addressing current problems and issues in Louisiana ornithology or bird conservation in Louisiana habitats.

The researcher must be a member of the Louisiana Ornithological Society.

A synopsis of the study must be submitted to the Editor of the Journal of Louisiana Ornithology (JLO) within 6 months following the project completion. It will be at the discretion of the Editor of the JLO whether the paper is published.

It is requested that, where possible, a slide presentation be given at a LOS meeting within 6 months after the project is completed. A presentation may be given during the study.

The same person may apply for a grant each year but a written report plus a letter from their research advisor or someone knowledgeable of the study must also be submitted.

Send applications to
John K. Dillon
183 Dance Road
Athens, LA 71003
merlin183@yahoo.com
documents via email preferred


LOUISIANA ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY

APPLICATION FOR GRANT PROPOSAL

The following information must be provided:

Principal Investigator: _______________________________________

Address: _________________________________________________

Phone Number: __________________

Email address: ___________________

University affiliation: ________________________________________
                          (name, address, phone number, email address)
Project advisor: ____________________________________________
                       (name, address, phone number, email address)
Title of Study: _____________________________________________

Background: ______________________________________________

Justification for Study: ______________________________________

Literature Cited: ___________________________________________

Project Design and Objectives: _______________________________
(Please include sample sizes)

Project Timetable: _________________________________________

Researcher Qualifications: __________________________________

Budget: _________________________________________________

Budget Justification: __________________________________


Copyright - Louisiana Ornithological Society