Audubon Announces Charles H. Callison Awards

National Audubon Society
Tuesday, 1 June 2004

Winners Include Chapter Volunteers Dr. Marcy Brown-Marsden, Camille Broderick, and Audubon Staffers Lynn Tennefoss and Dr. William Branan

Audubon honored four of its own last week with the Charles H. Callison Award, which recognizes outstanding National Audubon Society staff and Chapter volunteers.

The recipients of this year's award are Audubon volunteers Dr. Marcy Brown-Marsden of Audubon Dallas and Camille Broderick of Audubon Greenwich, and Audubon staffers Dr. William "Bill" Branan, director of the Audubon Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch in Arizona and Lynn Tennefoss, vice-president of State Programs and Chapter Services.

"This years recipients are model examples of what it means to make a lifelong commitment to the environment," said National Audubon Society president John Flicker. "As Chapter volunteers and National Audubon Society employees, our honorees have proven that the actions of committed individuals can change the world."

Dr. Marcy Brown-Marsden, a professor of biology at the University of Dallas, joined the Audubon Dallas board of directors as vice-president of conservation in 2002. As Chairperson of the management committee, Dr. Marsden also oversees all aspects of the Cedar Ridge Preserve operations, including facilities, native gardens, and volunteers. In addition, Dr. Marsden spends at least two mornings a week at the Preserve, coordinating the "Conservation in Action" volunteer days, where volunteers are enlisted to repair trails, remove non-native and invasive plant species and help with the Black-capped Vireo restoration project. Through countless hours conducting a tree inventory and collecting data for the Black-capped Viero project, a University of Dallas research project, Dr. Marsden and a team of her students, have identified two botanical rarities, a coral-root orchid and a devil's cigar fungus, adding to understanding and appreciation of this unique ecosystem.

Camille Broderick began her volunteer work at Audubon in the fall of 2000. Though she serves as a member of Audubon Greenwich's board of directors, the Education and Planning Committee, and the program advisor for the Executives for Conservation, Broderick is a standout in Audubon Greenwich's children's education program. Recognized as a talented teacher and naturalist for the Center's children's programs, Broderick has a deep love of the natural world that translates into her work toward the Center's success in conservation education efforts.

Ten years ago, when William Branan joined the Audubon staff, Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch had little usable housing, its fences were in disrepair, only one research project was taking place, and the Ranch was either unknown or mistrusted by area residents. As the only paid staff member at the time, Branan launched a program called "Antelope Days," which appealed for community volunteers to help create a perimeter fence that was wildlife friendly. In one stroke the Ranch was launched into the consciousness of the local community. Under Branan's leadership, the Ranch has been able to expand its environmental education efforts tremendously. Today, where once there was one science project, there are now more than eighty. The bibliography of studies conducted on the Ranch has grown to include hundreds of publications and dozens of student researchers acknowledge their time on the Ranch as pivotal in their environmental careers. Branan's motto of "let the data speak" has established the Ranch as an important resource for environmental research and studies.

Lynn Tennefoss is an Audubon member and activist of long standing. She began her career with Audubon as the office manager for a California chapter in the early 80s. After moving to Missoula, Montana in the mid-90s, Tennefoss became Director of Chapter Development and most recently was promoted to vice president of State Programs and Chapter Services. In this role, Tennefoss manages all aspects of Chapter and State Services, and has streamlined and updated the Chapter annual reporting process. Tennefoss is recognized for her tremendous talent and tireless hard work in supporting Audubon's Board members, Board committees, and state chapters and for making conservation relationships possible.

The National Audubon Society gives the Callison Awards biennially to staff members and activists/volunteers selected for criteria including environmental policy achievements, creativity, coalition building, and education and outreach. The awards namesake, Charlie Callison, was the executive vice president of National Audubon Society from 1960 to 1977, who was a leading voice in the creation of Audubon's field operations and who grew and supported the Chapter network.

Audubon is dedicated to protecting birds and other wildlife and the habitat that supports them. Our national network of community-based nature centers and chapters, scientific and educational programs, and advocacy on behalf of areas sustaining important bird populations, engage millions of people of all ages and backgrounds in positive conservation experiences.

For more information, or to contact National Audubon Society, see their website at: www.audubon.org