The Ludlow Griscom Award for Outstanding Contributions in Regional Ornithology is an
award bestowed by the
American Birding Association upon individuals who are determined to have "dramatically advanced the state of
ornithological knowledge for a particular region," through long-term studies of status and distribution, the writing and/or publication of
field guides to birds of a certain area, work as part of a
breeding bird atlas project, through the publishing of
academic papers on regional ornithology, or through their efforts in inspiring and teaching about the subject of
birding.[1]
One of five awards presented by the ABA for contributions to ornithology, the award is named after
Ludlow Griscom, considered the "Dean of the Birdwatchers",[2] a pioneer in field ornithology, and one of the first ornithologists to stress the importance of
identification of birds in the field as opposed to the collection of
specimens. The Ludlow Griscom Award was first presented to
Roger Tory Peterson, considered the father of the modern field guide,[3] in 1980. In its early years, the award was more broadly designated to recognize "outstanding contributions to excellence in field birding."[4] After being awarded in 1981, it was awarded biennially from 1984 to 1998; since then, it has been awarded on an annual basis.
List of winners
Since the award's inception in 1980, there have been 34 recipients, including several years in which more than one award was given.[5]
^American Birding Association.
"ABA Awards". Retrieved 25 January 2018.
^Davis, William E. Jr. (1994). Dean of the Birdwatchers: A Biography of Ludlow Griscom. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press. p. x.
ISBN1-56098-310-8.
^Rycenga, Jennifer (June–August 2011).
"Birders Flocking to San Mateo County"(PDF). Sequoia Needles. 61 (5). Sequoia Audubon Society, San Mateo County: 1. Retrieved 23 October 2012.
^Charrier-Botts, Emily (16 June 2011).
"Rusert earns bird award". Sonoma News. Archived from
the original on 3 February 2013. Retrieved 23 October 2012.