We congratulate chapter activists Tom and Eleanor Wootten, and Gary Pearson, and NAS staff David Henderson and Pat Waak, the 1997 and 1998 recipients of the NAS Charles H. Callison awards. The awards were presented at the NAS Convention in July.

The Woottens (Mesilla Valley AS, NM), a husband and wife team, received the 1997 Volunteer Category award. Leaders in numerous conservation efforts in NM and the Southwest, including state Council efforts to reintroduce and protect the Aplomado Falcon in the state, they have also established their own foundation to provide funding for wildlife-related research.

Dave Henderson (director, NM State Office, and Randall Davey Audubon Center) was awarded the 1997 Staff Category award. Called the leading environmental advocate in the state, his many achievements include creating the NAS State Office model that is now being used across the country.

Dr. Gary Pearson (Dakota Prairie AS; Jamestown, ND) received the 1998 Volunteer award. Gary, a veterinarian who also operates a large animal hospital and practice, has tirelessly worked for over 20 years to protect water resources and wetlands in North Dakota -- including working initially alongside his mentor and role model, Charlie Callison.

Pat Waak (director, NAS Population and Habitat Campaign) was awarded the 1998 Staff award. Her powerful and passionate efforts have focused national and international attention on the connection between habitat loss and population growth, and has made Audubon "one of the most effective organizations in the world" on this issue.

NAS makes the annual Callison Awards biennially at its national conventions to staff members and activists/volunteers selected for criteria including environmental policy achievements, creativity, coalition-building, and education and outreach. Charlie Callison was the executive vice president of NAS from 1960 to 1977, and among many other accomplishments, was the creator of our regional field office chapter system, and our automatic chapter/dues assignment system, which essentially created our unique network of chapters (through these innovative programs, for example, we went from having 25% of our members in chapters to 75%). The 1998 Callison Awards Committee included Joyce Wolf, Walt Pomeroy, Ted Lee Eubanks, Bernard Yokel, Glenn Olson, and Jim Cunningham.