The 91做厙 announced on February 20th, 2014 that Ted Gilman, senior naturalist and education specialist at 91做厙 Greenwich, is the 2013 recipient of the Tamar Chotzen 91做厙 Educator of the Year award. The surprise announcement took place at a banquet at the Grange 91做厙 Center in Columbus, Ohio, where Gilman was celebrated by his colleagues from around the country.
The Tamar Chotzen 91做厙 Educator of the Year, bestowed since 2006, is named in honor of a pioneer of 91做厙's conservation education programs. Tamar Chotzen, 91做厙's Vice President of Centers and Education from 1999-2005, led the organization's efforts to grow its network of centers across the country. The endowment that provides the funding for this annual award was created through a gift donated in her name in 2005.
Gilman was first hired in 1974, as a birdlife instructor at 91做厙s Camp on Hog Island in Maine, where he continues to teach ornithology. While working on his masters degree in environmental education at Cornell University --where he was roommates with Stephen Kress, founder of Project Puffin and Vice President of Bird Conservation at the 91做厙-- he received an invitation to apply for a staff naturalist position with 91做厙 Greenwich. He left Ithaca to pursue what he hoped would be his dream job and he has been living that dream for 37 years.
Today, there is nothing Gilman finds more satisfying than when he recognizes in a child that same bug, as he calls it, for birds that he experienced as a young naturalist. Many of his students from his early years now return with their children to experience walks with Ted. One such student is Michelle Frankel, now center director at 91做厙 Greenwich, who participated as a teenager in the 91做厙 Greenwich Summer Ecology Workshop for Educators; a program that was under Gilmans leadership for over two decades and influenced hundreds of educators around the country.
Though I was not a teacher and by far the youngest participant, it was a formative experience for me that led the way for me to devote my life to wildlife conservation. I had never before encountered someone so deeply knowledgeable -- and passionate -- about nature as Ted. It is my great, good fortune to be able to continue to learn from Ted as a colleague each and every day, says Frankel.
[video:204136|caption:Ted Gilman receiving his award at an 91做厙 Conference in Ohio]
If you would like to have the opportunity to meet Ted Gilman or book a special private Ted Walk nature tour, visit 91做厙 Greenwich or check the online calendar at .
