The Rich Levad Award is made in memory of Rich Levad, who made outstanding contributions to ornithology throughout his career as a teacher and as a staff member of the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory (RMBO). The award recognizes persons who have provided distinguished service to the ornithological community, made scholarly contributions to the field of ornithology and/or have enthused others about conserving birds and their habitats through sharing their personal knowledge and experience.
The 2011 winner of this award is Larry Semo. Larry began his career as a wildlife biologist and remained a biologist to the end, and he had a special interest in birds. He carried out his passion as senior ornithologist/ecologist at SWCA, an environmental consulting company. He was a member of the Colorado Bird Records Committee (CBRC) since 2001, and Chairman since 2005. Because of his special expertise in his role as CBRC Chairman, the CBRC bylaws were amended for Larry to continue past the former term limit of six years. He assisted the American Birding Association as Listing Editor, the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology in its eBird program, the National Audubon Society, and authors of most bird field guides. Larry made many scholarly and teaching contributions. One would think ten people had added up to his accomplishments, but it was one Larry Semo in a very short life. In all of Larry’s over-achieving in favor of birds, he cheerfully passed this information along to others, assisting them in understanding bird identification and habitat biology. Larry was a cherished friend and colleague. His tenure on RMBO’s board and in our lives was cut short, but his successes carry on. Hundreds of birders and conservationists got to acknowledge and share Larry’s legacy as this award was announced at RMBO’s Annual BBQ for the Birds. Larry may be succeeded, but he will never be replaced. Fortunately, the passion Larry exhibited in his life towards conservation of birds and their habitats and his zeal in expressing this love to others has multiplied his own substantial contributions. We will continue to miss Larry and to thank him for inspiring us. Larry Modesitt Chairman, Board of Directors Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory Larry Modesitt Chairman, Board of Directors Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en.
