[TN-Bird] George Archibald wins another prestegious award

From: "Aborn, David" <David-Aborn@xxxxxxx>
To: TN-birds Birds <tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2013 14:22:49 +0000
The Dan W. Lufkin Prize for Environmental Leadership Prize, a $100,000 annual 
award presented by the Audubon Society, was presented to International Crane 
Foundation founder George Archibald.
An endowment has been established for the Lufkin Prize, and it will be awarded 
annually for 10 years, totaling a $1 million gift from the Lufkin family.
Mr. Lufkin said Mr. Archibald, who is receiving the inaugural award, is just 
the kind of hands-on scientist the prize was established to support.
"He's devoted his life to crane survival," said Mr. Lufkin, a co-founder of the 
investment bank Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette. "This prize is for on-the-job, 
feet-on-the-ground environmentalists."
The prize will be given at the National Audubon Society Gala Dinner at the 
Plaza Hotel. The Audubon Medal, whose previous recipients include author Rachel 
Carson, President Jimmy Carter and Walt Disney, will also be presented to 
hedge-fund manager and philanthropist Louis Bacon. Bette Midler is scheduled to 
perform at the event.
"The Audubon Medal is the most prestigious environmental award one can receive, 
but it leaves out people who aren't quite as prominent," said Mr. Lufkin.
The new prize aims to reach scientists who have devoted their lives to 
environmental issues, but may not have garnered much recognition. One reason, 
he said, is because these scientists are often working so hard in far-flung 
locales that they don't have time to promote their efforts. It is one of the 
largest prizes currently given in recognition of environmental conservancy.
"No guy will put this money in his pocket," Mr. Lufkin said. "It will all go 
back to the Crane Foundation."
As the founder and leader of the foundation, Mr. Archibald has spent the past 
40 years working to protect endangered crane species and encourage reproduction 
in captivity.
His work with birds may seem like a limited field of study, but Mr. Lufkin 
believes the health of birds is a "precursor of things to come.
"It's like in 'Silent Spring' by Rachel Carson, when the birds weren't 
singing," he said. "It's more than birds we are saving."
Mr. Lufkin and his family live in Washington, Conn. He has been an 
environmental advocate since the 1970s and was one of the founders of Earth 
Day, but his dedication extends far further than that one April date. 
Supporting scientists who work day-in and day-out is the goal of the new award.
"It's for scientists who are getting their hands dirty; 24/7 scientists-that's 
the heart of the Lufkin Prize," he said.
[TN-Bird] George Archibald wins another prestegious award

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