National Audubon honors Johnsgard with volunteer award

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BY ALGIS J. LAUKAITIS / Lincoln Journal Star

The National Audubon Society has honored ornithologist Paul Johnsgard of Lincoln with its prestigious Charles H. Callison Award for volunteer service.

“The citizens of Nebraska and the world have been blessed by Paul’s lifelong dedication to drawing attention to the beauty of our state and its amazing bird populations. We are thrilled that his efforts are being recognized in this way,” said Marian Langan, director of the Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center.

Johnsgard’s nomination was led by the Denton-based center, with support from the Ian Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary near Gibbon and Audubon chapters in Kearney, Lincoln, Omaha and Scottsbluff.

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Paul Johnsgard watches northern rough-winged swallows fly along the banks of Salt Creek in this 2006 photo. (LJS File)

Paul Johnsgard watches northern rough-winged swallows fly along the banks of Salt Creek in this 2006 photo. (LJS File)

A foundation professor emeritus of biology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Johnsgard is a world-renowned ornithologist and leader in conservation. He has written more than 50 books on ornithology and the natural sciences and is an artist and photographer.

The society gives Callison Awards biennially to staff members and volunteers based on environmental policy achievements, creativity, coalition building, and education and outreach.

In a release, society president John Flicker called this year’s recipients “model examples of what it means to make a lifelong commitment to the environment.”

The award’s namesake, Charlie Callison, was executive vice president of the society from 1960-77. He was a leading voice in the creation of Audubon’s field operations and a supporter of the organization’s chapter network.

Johnsgard has received several awards, including a Loren Eiseley Award in 1988 for his writing.

His new book, “Wind Through the Buffalo Grass: A Lakota Story Cycle,” will be published soon by Infusion Media of Lincoln. He also is working on an art exhibit and accompanying narrative guide for the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin.

For decades, Johnsgard has allowed numerous conservation groups free use of his photos and drawings, allowing them to stretch otherwise limited budgets.

Margaret Nicolson, who funded the Ian Nicolson Audubon Center near Gibbon, received a Callison award in 2007.

The award will be presented today at the society’s annual meeting in Greenwich, Conn. Langan will accept the award for Johnsgard, who couldn’t make it because of a teaching commitment in western Nebraska.

Reach Algis J. Laukaitis at 402-473-7243 or alaukaitis@journalstar.com.