Chapter member Hazel Wolf, an ardent environmentalist and birder for most of her 99 years, will be honored this December with the 1997 National Audubon Medal for Excellence in Environmental Achievement. Ms. Wolf has played a prominent volunteer role in environmental efforts locally, nationally and internationally for decades. In addition to founding over 20 Audubon Societies, she is past president of the Federation of Western Outdoor Clubs and served as editor of its magazine, Outdoors West; member of NAS since before 1962; member of the Sierra Club, Greenpeace and the Earth Island Institute; co-founder of the Community Coalition for Environmental Justice (CCEJ) through which she worked to improve environmental safety in low-income, inner-city housing; and served as secretary of Seattle A.S. for 26 years (and was also its co-founder).

"Hazel Wolf has organized more local Audubon chapters than anyone in the history of the Audubon movement," explained John Flicker, NAS president. "She has been an inspiration to me and to all who know her... Hazel personifies all that is best in Audubon and America."

"[NAS] recently completed its plan for Audubon 2000," said Donal O'Brien, chair of the NAS Board. "We deliver many of our programs from the field, through our chapters and grassroots leaders...appropriate that we honor Hazel at this point in Audubon's history."

Born in British Columbia (Canada) in 1898 and moving to Seattle (Wa.) in 1923, Ms. Wolf has led a life that can only be called extraordinary. Ms. Wolf has received over a dozen awards, including the Washington State Department of Game's Award for protection of wildlife, 1978; a State of Washington Environmental Excellence Award, 1978; S.U.N.Y.'s 1978 Sol Feinstein Award for work with Seattle Audubon's "Trailside Series" of books on the Northwest; and NAS Conservationist of the Year Award, 1978. In 1987, she received the Assoc. of Biologists and Ecologists of Nicaragua's award for nature conservation; and in 1991, Women in Communications' top honor, the Matrix Award for Women of Achievement. In 1996, on her 98th birthday, Governor Mike Lowery (Wa.) declared March 10th "Hazel Wolf Day."

On June 15th, Ms. Wolf received the degree of doctor of humanities, honoris causa, from Seattle University (Wa.) at commencement exercises. Acting University President John Eshelman has called Ms. Wolf "one of the most respected and admired environmental leaders in the U.S. today."

The 41st presentation of the Audubon Medal takes place at a special ceremony this December 6th in San Francisco (Ca.). The Audubon Medal commends great individual achievement in the field of conservation or environmental protection. This distinguished honor recognizes either a single, extraordinary feat or a long record of significant contributions. Past recipients include Rachel Carson, Jimmy Carter, Walt Disney, the Very Reverend Dean Parks Morton, Roger Tory Peterson, Robert Redford, Laurence S. Rockefeller, Anita Roddick, Ted Turner and Edward O. Wilson.

For More Info Contact: Seattle AS; 8050 35th Ave., NE; Seattle, WA 98115-4815; phone: 206/523-4483; fax: 206/528-7779; email: <chrisp@seattleaudubon.org>.