Al Stokie is receiving Chicago Bird Alliance Service to Chicago Area Birders Award re: Happy Birthday, Al Stokie
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ALAN ANDERSON
Mar 27, 2026, 6:41:56 PM (11 days ago) Mar 27
to ilb...@googlegroups.com
Al Stokie has been a long time friend to me, and of course many other birders over the years. I sent him a message to wish him a Happy Birthday, and also thanking him for all he has done for birds and birding, and to help me over the years.
I just wanted to mention that the Chicago Bird Alliance (formerly Chicago Audubon) Board of Directors voted to give Al our Environmental Award for "Service to Chicago Area Birders" award this year. It's of course overdue. Most of you know of his daily birding exploits and reports of what he, and others that he meets at those locations, finds. Al has taken part in numerous Spring Counts, Christmas Bird Counts over the years, and he is one of the most knowledgeable birders in our area about places to find shorebirds, and keeps meticulous records of how many he finds, and shares his knowledge with others.
CBA is so happy to have had him be one of the co-compilers of our "Birds of the Greater Chicago Area" bird checklist for our recent revisions, as we rely on his knowledge and records to make sure the checklist is accurate and up to date when we do a revision, especially in regards to shorebirds. And of course he has knowledge of so many other species, and locations too!
Anyhow, Al will receive his well deserved award and plaque at the CBA Environmental Awards Brunch on Saturday, April 18th. Details below**.
The 2026 Chicago Bird Alliance Award Recipients, and Categories are:
- Service to Chicago Area Birders: Al Stokie
- Protector of the Environment - Single Act (Group): Kloempken Woods and Prairie Preserve Volunteers
- Protector of the Environment - Single Act (Individual): Jeff Bilsky
- Protector of the Environment – Avocation: Ken Schaefer
- Protector of the Environment – Avocation: Stan Stec
- Protector of the Environment – Vocation: Allison Sacerdote-Velat, Ph.D.
- Protector of the Environment - Group: Somme Woods and Prairie Preserves Volunteers
- First Friend of Chicago Bird Alliance: Cheryl Muth
- First Friend of Chicago Bird Alliance: Marian Nicksich
- First Friend of Chicago Bird Alliance: Jennie Strable
- Excellence in Environmental Reporting – Print: Brett Chase
- Protector of the Environment - Political Advocacy: Cheryl Johnson
- Protector of the Environment - Political Service: Chicago Alderman Timmy Knudsen
- Good Business Neighbor: Vortex Optics
- Young Environmentalist: Ima Akagawa
On a personal note, Al often texts me with information about rare or uncommon birds in areas he knows I bird often (or live close to), and I really appreciate his kindness and help in that regard too. And he's helped cover Techny and sometime other areas in Cook County for the Illinois Spring Bird Count, even after having birded his 'regular areas' in Lake County!
Alan Anderson, casre...@comcast.net Des Plaines
**If you are interested in attending the Awards Brunch or ceremony, check out details here:
(CBA Calendar of Events):
Blog about the event, with more information:
LORRA RUDMAN
Mar 28, 2026, 8:17:20 AM (10 days ago) Mar 28
to ALAN ANDERSON, ilb...@googlegroups.com
Fantastic and welldeserved.
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