_edited.png)
BRAW's 2026
Recognition Award Recipients
by Gene Kroupa
At its state convention, BRAW recognized folks who have made outstanding contributions to bluebirds, the environment and the organization. As President Steve Sample noted: “Their long-term efforts and support of cavity nesting birds is much appreciated and worthy of this recognition.”
RECOGNITION AWARD CATEGORIES
Carol McDaniel Bluebird
Lifetime Achievement
Educator of the Year
Communicator of the Year
Bluebirders of the Year
Facilitator of the Year
Each award recipient received an elegant glass plaque with a blue scuplted base engraved with their name and award category. To learn more about this year's award winners please read on.
Jerry & Sharon Woelfel
Blue Birders of the Year Award
Sylvia Marek, of Madison, received the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award.
“Living in the country, I was introduced to birds at an early age by my parents,” said Marek.
Later as a student at the UW-Madison, she learned more about the natural world from instructors like Virginia Kline, who taught “The Vegetation of Wisconsin” and “Reading the Landscape.”
Marek applied that knowledge by establishing one of the first bluebird trails in the University of Wisconsin Arboretum in 1988. At age 82 and with help, she continues to manage and monitor the 18-box trail.
“Seeing newly hatched chicks grow to nestlings, and then watching visitors observe the fledglings is a worthy reward,” said Marek. She suggests that “educating people about their connection to the natural world is key to understanding the need for conservation efforts.”
In accepting the award, Marek thanked those mentors and BRAW members who have helped her with bluebird restoration efforts.
Sylvia Marek
Lifetime Achievement Award
Sylvia Marek, of Madison, received the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award.
“Living in the country, I was introduced to birds at an early age by my parents,” said Marek.
Later as a student at the UW-Madison, she learned more about the natural world from instructors like Virginia Kline, who taught “The Vegetation of Wisconsin” and “Reading the Landscape.”
Marek applied that knowledge by establishing one of the first bluebird trails in the University of Wisconsin Arboretum in 1988. At age 82 and with help, she continues to manage and monitor the 18-box trail.
“Seeing newly hatched chicks grow to nestlings, and then watching visitors observe the fledglings is a worthy reward,” said Marek. She suggests that “educating people about their connection to the natural world is key to understanding the need for conservation efforts.”
In accepting the award, Marek thanked those mentors and BRAW members who have helped her with bluebird restoration efforts.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Leonard Place, of Oshkosh, received the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award. A retired instructor at Fox Valley Technical College, Place said that “much can be learned about the health of our environment just from observing the avian world.”
“Growing up on a farm, I was introduced to birds at an early age while roaming the fields and woods,” said Place. “Once, I fell out a tall tree while checking on a bird nest and suffered a broken collar bone,” he added.
At one time, Place monitored 80 bluebird nest boxes with his mentor Frank Zern. Now, at age 90, he suggests that “The best thing people can do for birds is to create healthy habitat, including food sources. Bluebird nest boxes are just part of that effort.”
He also believes that the word “restoration” speaks to not only the avian world but all areas of our sensitive environment.
In accepting the award, he said: “My heart is beating with gratitude for the work BRAW does for bluebirds.”
Leonard Place
Lifetime Achievement Award
Gordon Weber, of Sparta, received the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award. “I got started helping bluebirds when I saw an article about the Vince Bauldry nest box,” said Weber. “Then I refined a Hill Lake style box to keep out rain.”
He worked with Dr. Kent Hall, a professor at UW – Stevens Point, on the Audubon Bluebird Trail from 2009 to 2019.
Weber was one of the first nest box monitors in the state to record bluebird nesting data. “I’ve been doing it for 39 years to help bluebirds and for my own enjoyment,” he noted.
“We can help birds by putting up nest boxes in proper habitat and monitoring them,” concluded Weber.
In accepting the award, Weber thanked BRAW and said: “Bottomline, I do this for the bluebirds.”