Linking Sites Award

The Linking Sites Award recognizes individuals whose careers and contributions have helped connect local conservation action with hemispheric efforts to protect migratory shorebirds and their habitats.

Beyond recognizing individual achievements, the Award celebrates an approach to conservation grounded in collaboration and relationship-building. It honors individuals who have built bridges among sites, cultures, institutions, and generations, enabling locally developed knowledge and experience to contribute to broader conservation outcomes.

Established by the WHSRN Hemispheric Council, the Award recognizes individuals who embody the values that guide the Network’s work.

The Award honors those who have made significant contributions to:

  • Strengthening local capacity; 
  • Facilitating the exchange of experiences and lessons learned among sites; 
  • Advancing collaboration on conservation, research, and education initiatives; 
  • Engaging communities in protecting shorebirds and their habitats; 
  • Building lasting partnerships among people and organizations across communities and landscapes throughout the hemisphere; 
  • Connecting local action with hemispheric conservation goals.
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Past Award Recipients

Don Paul

Don Paul, the inaugural recipient of the Linking Sites Award, was recognized in May 2024 for his pioneering role in the conservation of Great Salt Lake and his contributions to building connections among sites, communities, and professionals from different countries, all linked through shared populations of shorebirds. His work brought together science, conservation, and international collaboration, helping demonstrate the site’s hemispheric importance and fostering exchanges across cultures, institutions, and new generations of conservationists.

Jim Chu

In September 2024, James (Jim) Chu was recognized for his long career devoted to connecting people working at important shorebird sites and facilitating collaborations, partnerships, and joint projects across the continent. He also placed special emphasis on identifying and supporting young researchers and conservationists from Latin America, helping develop new generations committed to shorebird conservation. 

Photo credits: Adobe Stock, Shiloh Schulte.