CFO Awards
Colorado Field Ornithologists present awards to individuals and organizations for service to Colorado's avian diversity.
Ronald A. Ryder Award
The Ronald A. Ryder Award for Distinguished Service to Colorado Field Ornithology is named for the late Dr. Ronald Arch Ryder, known to friends and birders as "Ron". Dr. Ryder was a longtime professor of wildlife biology at Colorado State University and an influential force in Colorado Field Ornithologists and other Colorado birding groups. This award is given to individuals for:
- For distinguished service to the Colorado Field Ornithologists organization and its goals.
- For scholarly contributions to the Colorado Field Ornithologists and to Colorado field ornithology.
- For sharing knowledge of Colorado field ornithology with the people of the state of Colorado.
These qualifications reflect the character of Dr. Ryder's contributions to Colorado ornithology.
CFO Directors' Award
Directors' Award recognizes significant contributions to Colorado Field Ornithologists and to efforts that CFO supports.
Prairie chicken. Small section of a larger mural in Denver, CO. Photo by Megan Jones Patterson.
Volunteer Appreciation Award
The Volunteer Award is given to recognize individuals who have made significant recent contributions to Colorado Field Ornithologists. This can include service on a committee or any other non-Board related activity that benefits the operation of the organization or furthers its goals.
Lifetime Achievement Award
The Lifetime Achievement Award is intended to recognize persons of character who have gained the respect of birders in their community through decades of service to birders and birding.
Landowner Appreciation Award
The Landowner Appreciation Award is given to thank private landowners who graciously allow access for birders to see significant rarities or interesting birds on their property.
Land Stewardship Appreciation Award
The Land Stewardship Appreciation Award recognizes individuals or entities who support significant conservation initiatives on Colorado land they own or manage, seeking to maintain habitat that benefits Colorado’s birdlife.
Nomination and Selection
Nominations for any award may be made by the membership-at-large. Only living persons may be nominated for any of the awards. To ensure nominations arrive in time for award decisions, please submit in writing on or before April 1st of each year. Please send nominations, including nominees full name, nominee contact information, and the reason for nomination to the CFO president.
The CFO Board selects and approves each award. Awards are presented at the CFO annual meeting, typically held during the convention. Ron Ryder recipients are presented with a plaque designed to match the original plaque given to Dr. Ryder.
Funding
CFO members fund the Awards program entirely with voluntary contributions. Plaques of appreciation are given to businesses, landowners and other individuals who allow access to private property in order to view rare or unusual birds.
Award Recipients
Ron Ryder Award
In recognition of distinguished service to Colorado Field Ornithologists, for scholarly contributions to Colorado field ornithology, and for sharing knowledge of Colorado field ornithology with the people of the state of Colorado.
| Year | Name | Service | Colorado Birds Article |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Lynn Wickersham | Contributions though fostering citizen science and leading the Colorado Bird Atlas II. | 52.3 pg 148 |
| 2014 | Catherine P. Ortega | Insights into cowbird parasitism and inspiring students to careers in ornithology. | 49.1 pg 12 |
| 2013 | Stephen R. Jones | Keen observer of and writer about nature and for continually engaging young people with natural history | 47.3 pg 167 |
| 2012 | Dr. Brian Linkhart | Research on Flammulated Owls and a passion to share his knowledge with others | 47.2 pg 94 |
| 2011 | Larry Semo | Contributions to Colorado birding, particularly through service to and moderization of the Colorado Bird Records Committee | 45.3 pg 169 |
| 2010 | Alexander Cruz | Carrying out and disseminating 40 years of bird research and educating a generation of Colorado ornithologists. | 44.4 pg 220 |
| 2009 | Dave Leatherman | Many ornithological achievements including the study, documentation, and education on the diets of Colorado birds. | 43.3 pg 175 |
| 2008 | Tony Leukering | Extensive work to vastly improved our knowledge of the status and distribution of Colorado birds. | 42.4 pg 240 |
| 2005 | Rich Levad | Impact on Colorado ornithology over 30 years as a long-standing member of CFO and Grand Valley Audubon, a leader of field trips for both, and an author, atlaser, and researcher. | 40.1 pg 2 |
| 2004 | Richard Beidleman | For his decades of professional and personal contributions to Colorado ornithology. | |
| 2003 | Stephen Martin | Significant contributions to our knowledge about, and conservation of, Colorado's Bobolink population. | 37.3 pg 111 |
| 2000 | Bob Righter | The Accomplished Amateur -- contributions to Colorado ornithology including the authoring or editing of serveral books and articles | 34.3 pg 150 |
| 1999 | Hugh Kingery | Extensive contributions to the Colorado Breeding Bird Atlas, among many other contributions. | 33.3 pg 163 |
| 1998 | Harold Holt | His extensive contributions to Colorado field ornithology and sharing his knowledge of Colorado birds with the people of Colorado. | 32.3 pg 138 |
| 1995 | Ron Ryder | His extensive knowledge, his friendly, enthusiastic, easy going teaching style, and his continued selfless commitment to field ornithology | 29.2 pg 4 |
| 19.12 pg 3 |
Lifetime Achievement Award
The Lifetime Achievement Award is intended to recognize persons of character who have gained the respect of birders in their community through decades of service to birders and birding.
| Year | Name | Colorado Birds Article |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Nic Korte | |
| 2022 | Van Truan | |
| 2021 | Joe Roller | |
| 2019 | Coen Dexter and Brenda Wright | |
| 2018 | Ann Bonnell | 52.3 pg 147 |
| 2014 | Dick Schottler | 49.1 pg 15 |
| 2012 | Lynn Willcockson | 46.4 pg 253 |
| 2011 | Suzi Plooster | 45.4 pg 258 |
| 2009 | Warren Finch | 43.4 pg 242 |
| 2008 | Bob Spencer | 42.3 pg 165 |
| 2007 | Joe Himmel | 41.4 pg 214 |
Directors' Award
In recognition of significant contributions to Colorado Field Ornithologists and to efforts that CFO supports.
| Year | Name | Service | Article |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Nick Komar | Distinguished Service for leadership and innovative programs during the COVID-19 pandemic | Link |
| 2023 | Sue Riffe | Distinguished Service in field trip planning | Link |
| 2022 | Tiffany Hansen | Stewardship service for the kayak rescue of a Brown Pelican in distress | |
| 2022 | Ann Johnson | Distinguished service for years of website support | |
| 2022 | Megan Jones Patterson | Distinguished service for role in upgrading CFO website | |
| 2022 | Scott Somershoe | Distinguished service for Bicycle Big Year fundraiser establishing the Joe Roller Memorial Grant Fund (raised >$40K) | |
| 2022 | Mark Peterson | Distinguished service for outstanding service as chair of Colorado Bird Records Committee | |
| 2020 | David Gillilan | Distinguished service across many volunteer roles with CFO | |
| 2020 | John Moore | Significant contribution for donation of an extensive wildlife art collection | |
| 2020 | Mark Yaeger | Distinguished service for multiple donations of convention artwork for CFO | |
| 2016 | Duane Nelson | Long-term commitment to the conservation of endangered Piping Plovers and Least Terns | |
| 2013 | Maggie Boswell | Distinguished service in many volunteer roles with CFO | |
| 2010 | Peter Gent | Special achievement award | |
| 2009 | Raymond Davis | Distinguished service in many volunteer roles with CFO | |
| 2005 | Sue Hirshman | Stewardship service in the long-term commitment to Black Swift conservation | 39.3 pg 108 |
| 2004 | Jerry Craig | Stewardship service in the long-term commitment to raptor work |
Landowner Appreciation Award
In recognition of and thanks to landowners/managers who graciously allow access for birders to see significant rarities or interesting birds on their property.
| Year | Name | Access/Species Hosted | Article |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Phillips Family | Chico Basin Ranch | Link |
| 2022 | Duane Nelson | Costa's Hummingbird | |
| 2022 | Kirsten Witherell | Rosy-finches | |
| 2021 | August Konvalin | Summer Tanager | |
| 2021 | Darsie Tiglas | Purple Finch & Canyon Towhee | |
| 2021 | George Steele | Ruddy Ground-Dove | |
| 2021 | Gib Rokich | Yellow Grosbeak | |
| 2016 | Army Corps of Engineers | Conservation of habitat for endangered Piping Plovers and Least Terns | |
| 2016 | Gale Tempel | Melody Tempel Grove | |
| 2016 | Jane and John Stulp | Creation of bird habitat at Stulp Farms | |
| 2016 | Paul Tennery | Anna's Hummingbird | |
| 2015 | Adam Jack | Magnificent Hummingbird, Coal Creek Canyon | |
| 2015 | Ira and Tammy Sanders | Rosy-finches, Golden | |
| 2015 | Karl Manderbach | American Woodcock | |
| 2014 | Sean Walters and Family | Varied Thrush, Loveland | 49.1 pg 13 |
| 2012 | Rebecca Campbell | Pine Warbler, Denver | 46.3 pg 179 |
| 2011 | David Madonna | Annual tours of Valmont Reservoir, Boulder | |
| 2010 | Prairie Vista Meadows HOA | Snowy Owl, Peyton | |
| 2008 | Connie Kogler | Streak-backed Oriole, Loveland | |
| 2007 | Larry Arnold | Lawrence's Goldfinch, Grand Junction | |
| 2007 | Sheldon Zwicker | Hooded Oriole, Cortez | 41.3 pg 146 |
| 2006 | Fawnbrook Inn | winter feeder, Rosy-FInches, etc. in Allenspark | |
| 2005 | Claudette Tuxhorn | Costa's Hummingbird, Clifton | |
| 2005 | Susan Allerton | White-eared Hummingbird, Durango | |
| 2005 | Victor and Suellyn | Anna's Hummingbird, Grand Junction | |
| 2004 | Tina Jones | Hummingbird feeders in Bow-Mar, Denver | |
| 2003 | Bob and Pauline Meyers | Broad-billed Hummingbird, Grand Junction | |
| 2003 | Cyndi Mosch | Purple Gallinule, Loveland | |
| 2001 | Chico Basin Ranch | Hospitality during CFO convention | |
| 2001 | Terri D. Steinberg | Harlequin Duck, Durango | |
| 2000 | Matt Snook and Anne Dittmar, Horseshoe Lake HOA | Slaty-backed Gull, Fort Collins |
Land Stewardship Appreciation Award
Recognizes those who support significant conservation initiatives on Colorado land they own or manage, seeking to maintain habitat that benefits Colorado’s birdlife.
| Year | Name | Service | Article |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | The May Ranch (Dallas May & Jonathan Reitz) | Active ranch management while maintaining a sense of balance and harmony with nature | Link |