The Indiana Audubon Society makes two awards, both annually if there is a qualified recipient: the Earl Brooks Award and the James H. Mason Service Award. The Indiana Audubon Society also awards individuals, organizations, and others through it's Mumford and Keller Grant/Scholarship Program.
The Earl Brooks Award
The Earl Brooks Award is given in the Spring (May) "for advancement of conservation of natural resources in Indiana". Recipients do not have to be a member of the Indiana Audubon Society.
Interested in nominating someone? Find out more about the Earl Brooks Award and how to nominate a deserving individual.
Past recipients include: Dorothy Buck, Robert Cooper, Justin Roberts, Henry West, Mary and Clifford Gough, William Barnes, James and Amy Mason, Charles and Juanita Wise, Jane and Thomas Dustin, Jack Munsee, Robert McIlwain, Deanna and Denzel Barricklow, Jim Jontz, J. Dan Webster, James Cope, Howard Michaud, Mildred Campbell, Frenchy and Katie Van Huffel, Russell Mumford, Donna McCarty, Paul Carmony, Lee and Celia Parsons, Robert Baker, Tom and Lovetta Stankus, Charles Keller, Paul Steffen, Tom Potter, John Castrale, Robert Buskirk, Alan Bruner, Ted Heemstra, Dr. Kenneth Brock, and Lee Sterrenburg.
The James H. Mason Service Award
The James H. Mason Service Award is given in the Fall. The recipient must be a member of the Indiana Audubon Society. This award was initiated in 1990.
"The James H. Mason Service Award is presented to members of the Indiana Audubon Society who have dedicated themselves through service to the society. It is rare when the commitment exhibited by James H. Mason is seen in individuals. It serves as an inspiration and focus for others, to work with such individuals. This award recognizes and expresses heartfelt appreciation for those IAS members who evoke the memory and dedication of James H. Mason."
Nominations for the James H. Mason Service Award are due one month before the Fall Meeting of the Society. The Fall Meeting is always held the first weekend of October.
Folks who have received the award in the past are: Patricia Newforth, Henry West, Robert Miller, Mary and Cliff Gough, Jack Munsee, Rob and Rita Rutledge, John Castrale, Denzel Barricklow, Gene Yates, Allen King, Lynn Miller, J. Dan Webster, Charles and Shirley Keller, Karen Henman, Deanna Wade, Scott and Brad Jackson, Tim and Pamela Keller, Dick Patterson, and Vic Riemenschneider.
The Mumford and Keller Grant/Scholarship Program
The Mumford and Keller Grant/Scholarship Program is used to award funds to member individuals and organizations seeking funding for activities related to Indiana's natural resources, particularly those related to Indiana's avifauna, that-promote the Indiana Audubon Society's mission. This program was created in 2010, and receives some funding from the annual silent auction and raffle held during the fall festival.
Awards are announced twice each year, after the spring and fall meetings. Applications are due April 1 and September 1 for each grant cycle. The total awards vary each year.
Individuals and Organizations receiving funding in recent years include: Landon Neuman, The Friends of the Upper Wabash Interpretive Services, The Northwest Indiana Migratory Bird Association, and Lauren Smith.
The 2011 Grants and Scholarship Guidelines and Application can be downloaded here (Word) or here (PDF).
here (Word) or here (pdf).