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TOLEDO — Kimberly Kaufman, executive director of Black Swamp Bird Observatory, Oak Harbor, was recently presented with the Naturalist of the Year Award from the  Toledo Naturalists’ Association.
Since its founding in 1933, TNA has included many of the leading field biologists and naturalists of the Midwest among its members. The Naturalist of the Year Award was first given in 1957, and has been given annually since 1972. Notable past recipients have included Louis Campbell, Harold Mayfield, Steve Pollick, Julie Shieldcastle, incoming TNA president Elliot Tramer and last year’s honoree, Rick Nirschl.
This year’s award recognized Kaufman for her work, both individually and through the Black Swamp Bird Observatory, to advance research and education involving birds and nature. In particular, TNA noted Kaufman’s accomplishment in founding the Ohio Young Birders Club, which has members throughout Ohio and beyond and has served as a model for similar efforts in 14 other states. Also lauded were Kaufman’s efforts in organizing educational programs for area schools and for the general public, promoting the economic value of bird watching to local businesses and media, and taking part in research on bird migration through northwest Ohio.
“Kim is a person who not only has great passion for her organization's conservation and education programs, but has also the ability to translate the importance of these programs into terms that any audience can embrace," said Larry Fletcher, Ottawa County Visitors’ Bureau.
"I have met and worked with many nature educators during my career and have found many different things motivating them … I have only met one who has all the qualities, plus the ability to bring people, causes and resources together into a successful nature education organization" said Jim Berry, president of the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History
For information, call BSBO at 419-898-4070 or visit www.bsbobird.org, or Toledo Naturalists’ Association at www.toledonaturalist.org.
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