Great Egret Award
The Great Egret Award is given to individuals who have made significant, long-term contributions to Audubon and to conservation in pursuit of the Audubon mission.
To be eligible for the top award, individuals must have been working for the Audubon mission “in the trenches” for 20 years or more, either as a volunteer or staff member, and must have made significant contributions at one or more levels within the local chapter, center, state, regional or national level.
2017
President and charter member of Winnebago Audubon Society received National Audubon Society’s top award this spring.
Janet Wissink, of Pickett, became the second person from our chapter, behind only Anita Carpenter (her mentor), to receive the Great Egret Award from the national organization.
The Great Egret Award Certificate that Wissink received reads: “This award is given in recognition of Janet Wissink’s 35 years of outstanding service to Winnebago Audubon, a chapter of the National Audubon Society. A charter member, Janet has served almost continuously as a Board Member and as Secretary, Treasurer, Vice-President, and several terms as President. For the past 18 years, she has used her artistic and creative talents to edit and produce an informative, well-designed, professional-looking chapter newsletter “The Lake Flyer”. With her enthusiasm for the natural world, excellent leadership skills and attention to detail, Janet is the spark plug and glue that keeps Winnebago Audubon moving forward. In appreciation of her longstanding and genuine dedication to this chapter, we are honored to present her with this well-deserved Great Egret Award.
2012
Winnebago Audubon presented the Great Egret Award to Anita Carpenter in recognition of her 32 years of outstanding service to their chapter of the National Audubon Society. Anita is a charter member and has served over the years as President, Vice-President, field trip leader and program presenter. One of her greatest contributions has been writing a column for the chapter newsletter, “The Lake Flyer” since its inception over 30 years ago. Her “Badger Tracks” articles are always informative and a pleasure to read. She is a naturalist who shares her passion and knowledge of birds, butterflies, dragonflies, and all the critters, with an enthusiasm that is contagious. For her longstanding and genuine dedication to this chapter Winnebago Audubon offers their sincere gratitude and was honored to present her with the Great Egret Award.
Winnebago Audubon submitted their nomination of Anita to the National Audubon Society who agreed that she qualified for this recognition. Anita received a framed certificate signed by the National Audubon President and the Chair of National Audubon Board of Directors plus an exquisite framed color photo of a Great Egret by Bill Stripling.