The Waterbird Society

Scientific Study and Conservation of the World's Waterbirds
Awards: The Waterbird Society periodically presents awards to individuals for outstanding contributions to waterbird science, exemplary service to the Society, and to students for excellence in presentations and assistance for travel to the annual meetings.

International:Two international awards are the Kai Curry-Lindahl Prize for excellence in conservation biology and the Robert Cushman Murphy Prize for excellence in avian sciences. Nominees for these awards are selected by a committee who make their recommendation to the Council for a decision. The awards are presented by the President of the Society at the annual general meeting.

  • The ROBERT CUSHMAN MURPHY PRIZE highlights either a lifetime of exceptional, published research, or a single extraordinary research accomplishment that has resulted in a major redirection of studies on waterbirds. It honors the memory of one of the giants in the field, the author of Oceanic Birds of South America, a landmark first published in 1936 and still an essential reference 60 years later.
  • The KAI CURRY-LINDAHL AWARD calls attention to either a lifetime of singular efforts on behalf of the conservation or management of breeding waterbirds and their habitat, or to one outstanding example of such activity that has served as a model for future workers. It is named for one of the early pioneers in the conservation of vast areas of critical importance to freshwater colonial birds, not only in his native Europe but in Africa and Asia as well.
Distinguished Service Award: recognizes those members who have made significant contributions by serving the Society and its members. Recipients of the Service Award have promoted the goals of the Society in their efforts that extend above and beyond their duties as teachers, researchers, and administrators. Award nominees are presented to the Council by the Awards Committee. Please follow this link for past recipients.
Best Student Paper and Poster Award: are given to promote student participation at the Society's meetings and to recognize excellence in the presentation of posters and papers. These awards are presented at the annual meeting.
Student Travel Awards: In most years the Waterbird Society has funds to give financial assistance to students in order that they may attend the annual meeting to present a paper (oral or poster). To apply click here.
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