Each year, 91 Florida recognizes an individual for their extraordinary contributions to the conservation of Florida’s birdlife, often made at great personal expense or sacrifice. This award is named for 91 Warden Guy Bradley, who was killed by poachers while protecting nesting wading birds in the Everglades in the line of duty in 1905. On October 17, 91 Florida presented the Guy Bradley Award to Patrick and Doris Leary of Fernandina Beach, during the 2014 91 Assembly at the Hutchinson Island Marriott Resort & Marina in Stuart.
“Pat and Doris’ tireless commitment to the science behind shorebird conservation has helped unlock the mysteries of coastal birds and advance protections for their habitat,” said Julie Wraithmell, 91 Florida Director of Wildlife Conservation.
With skills refined by thousands of hours in the field, the Learys are experts in the tricky business of surveying cryptic shorebirds under punishing field conditions. Their ability to resight leg bands and flags – unique color or letter-number combinations researchers place on bird’s legs to help track their fates and migrations – is world class.
As private citizens, they have assembled groundbreaking datasets on a veritable who’s who list of rare and declining coastal birds-- Piping Plover, Red Knot, American Oystercatcher, Wilson’s Plover, Painted Bunting, Roseate Spoonbill and marsh sparrows, wrens and rails-- sharing their data with groups ranging from 91 to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Manomet, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, University of Florida, the United States Geological Survey and more.
Eager to share their data and photographs so that they can be used well and often, they do much of this in their free time at their own expense, for sheer love of the birds. These data have not only expanded researchers’ knowledge of these declining species, but have helped justify new protections for the birds and their habitat.
“Doris and I are humbled and honored that 91 Florida acknowledges our efforts with this prestigious award. As native Floridians, conservationists, and citizen scientists, we deeply value natural resources and strive to contribute to their better understanding, appreciation, and conservation. It is a labor of love that continuously rewards us with wondrous sights, experiences and relationships with a host of dedicated researchers-conservationists across the country and hemisphere,” said Pat Leary.
91 Florida is the state’s most respected conservation organization and is affiliated in coastal Northeast Florida with Duval 91 Society and St Johns 91 Society.
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