Audubon Minnesota Awards

In Recognition of Outstanding Conservation Efforts

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Three of Audubon Minnesota’s highest awards were presented at the organization’s Annual Meeting in November. These awards recognize outstanding personal efforts to advance conservation in Minnesota.

The 2009 Audubon Minnesota award for outstanding efforts to advance conservation in Minnesota went to:

State Representative Phyllis Kahn became aware of Audubon Minnesota’s “Lights Out” program that encourages lights be turned out in tall buildings during migration to save birds’ lives from the common collisions with buildings that frequently occur when lights cause confusion in flight. Kahn, chair of the State Government Finance Division, used her skills to secure passage of a bill she authored to protect migrating birds from building collisions. The legislation directs turning off lights during bird migration season at night in all of the nearly 6,000 buildings owned or leased by the state. It is the first-of-its kind law in the nation. Rep. Kahn recognized the bill as a win-win – citing its importance to birds and reducing energy costs for the state.

Eldor and Stella Omdahl of rural Warren, Minnesota were honored for their leadership in wildlife habitat restoration and conservation education.

“For several decades, Eldor and Stella have worked tirelessly to enhance habitat for wildlife on 780 acres of land they had once farmed,” said Dr. Mark Peterson, Executive Director of Audubon Minnesota. “Then in 1981 they helped create the Audubon Agassiz Chapter and over time donated most of their property to the chapter forever as a resource for local school children and the public to freely visit, enjoy and to learn the ecological lessons it has to teach,” he added.

The property is today known as the “Wetlands, Pines and Prairie Sanctuary,” southeast of Warren. The Omdahls established an endowment with the Northwest Minnesota Area Foundation and Audubon to ensure there are funds to manage the property in perpetuity. It includes ponds, grasslands, forests, trails and campsites. Peterson estimated that thousands of children and adults have come to learn at the sanctuary and recreate over the years.

Mary Ellen Vetter was recognized for her several decades of volunteer work serving in nearly every position on the Board of Directors for the Audubon Chapter of Minneapolis and for her many years of service on the Board of Audubon Minnesota and Board representative to the Minnesota Environmental Fund. In 1970, Mary Ellen helped to start the Audubon Center of the Northwoods in Sandstone, Minnesota and has remained active on their Board of Directors since that time.