Every December it is one of my great pleasures as Bergen Audubon Society President to have the opportunity to present our annual Conservation Awards to our local heroes who have given of themselves with little recognition and often with personal sacrifice to make our environment and community a better place not only for wildlife but for all of us.

Our conservation award is named in honor of the late Harold Feinberg, BCAS Board member and field trip chairman for many years. Harold was a mentor, an enthusiastic supporter of our endeavors, and always gave freely of his expertise with a combination of patience and knowledge that few possess.

We are very proud once again to announce our winners of the 10th annual “Bergen CountyAudubon/Harold Feinberg Conservation Awards.”

 This year our award winners are

 Dee De Santis-Palisades Park 

Dee, otherwise known as “The Eagle Lady,” has for the last 3 years devoted herself to the protection and preservation of the Ridgefield Park Bald Eagle nest.

As the official observer for NJDEP, Dee spends almost every day from November through June, in all kinds of weather watching to be sure our eagles are safe. She documents all their behaviors such as egg laying and fledging times, which greatly helps scientists at the DEP learn about eagles in urban areas. The futures of all the Bald Eagles in New Jersey are being helped by such an amazing, devoted woman.

Dawn Giambalvo,  Kevin Link and Irene Stamos -Jersey City    

Dawn, Kevin and Irene have done amazing work creating a natural urban oasis in Jersey City called Canco Park Conservancy. Their hard work and devotion has engaged a diverse community through educational opportunities for both adults and children in the wonders of the natural world. These three amazing people are prime examples of what a difference a few determined people can make in their own communities

Michele Gillies-Ridgefield

No matter where she is or what she is doing Michele’s first concern is what can she can do to help make this world a little better. Michelle participates 48 weekends out of a year on a cleanup.

Her cleanups include Liberty State Park cleanups with Friends of Liberty State Park; Bayonne Nature Club cleanups in Bayonne; Raritan River cleanups with Save the Raritan; and Hackensack River cleanups in Bergen and Rockland counties, just to mention a few. Michelle is an example of a true environmental  hero who has dedicated her life to a better place for us, birds and all wildlife

Please Join Us Wednesday Evening , Dec. 18, at 7:30 pm at Teaneck Creek Conservancy as we present our awards to these well-deserving local environmental heroes.