During my presidency (1963-1967), 1 conceived the idea of giving an award annually to the person or organization who had made an outstanding contribution to the furtherance of conservation or conservation practices (AWS bylaws Art. VIII) in keeping with the purposes and objectives of our Society (Art. II).

The purpose was not only to honor and encourage the recipient, but also to publicize the project and keep the name of our Society before the public.

I did not envision this as an award given to members of our Society for good deeds. After all, as members of the Society, these were the aims and purposes we were already dedicated to practice, and in the eyes of the press the award would carry more weight if it were given to others in the communities.

The Board of trustees unanimously approved the idea and made it a part of our by-laws. It was also agreed that the award should be attractive enough for recipients to want to display it, thus promoting conservation, the recipient and projects, and the Audubon Wildlife Society. It was also agreed that a cash award could accompany the award, if needed and appropriate.

It was decided we would honor one of our outstanding members. Paul and Dorothy Battersby had been charter members of the Society. They lived on Reillywood Avenue in Haddonfield where their entire backyard and its adjoining lot was a feeding station. The trees, vines and shrubs were dotted with feeders and birdhouses of every sort. The ground was cushioned with almost two feet of shells from sunflower seeds. Nobody reported more birds or a larger variety than the Battersbys. Paul was a member of the Board of Trustees of the New Jersey Audubon Society, quite a distinction at that time, since their only presence was in northern New Jersey.

Paul also had the rare ability to encourage others in the ways of conservation. He was especially effective with young people. All who knew him felt a great loss at his untimely death in 1966.

Our planned conservation award provided a wonderful way to memorialize Paul S. Battersby's life. He had given us a particularly high set of standards to measure our recipients against. With the high hopes I had for this award, perhaps you can understand how embarrassing it was for me to have been the first recipient. That was not at all what I had anticipated.

Since 1967 we have presented the award 31 times - eight times most-deserving members of our Society. In 1972 the award we to Dorothy Battersby, Paul's wife, for -carrying on the work they shared. Ten years later it was awarded to dear, sweet Elsie Weisbrod who lived and breathed conservation. She led trips, taught, wrote and identified plants for area -nature trails. She inspired all who came in contact with her, revealing her love for New Jersey's natural areas.

Two mayors received our award for setting aside natural areas in their municipalities - the late Ann A. Mullen of Gloucester Township and Edward Campbell of Gibbsboro. Incidentally, our awards were hung proudly in their offices for all to see.

Several have also received a cash award. The 1993 winner, Julie Akers, of the Great Egg Harbor Watershed Association, took over leadership of that Association after the founder died. Before the project was completed, Julie was becoming overwhelmed with the task that was left her. Then the loss of her job almost doomed the project. The presentation of our Paul S. Battersby award and the accompanying publicity rejuvenated the project and our cash grant provided her with enough money to complete the project. Today the Great Egg Harbor River has been added to the national list of Wild and Scenic Rivers. I have been told that it has more miles so dedicated than any other river in the United States.

Robert Schoelkopf of the Marine Mammal Stranding Center won the award in 1988. 1 am sure that all in the area have heard of Bob's and the Center's good works. It is nice to know that our Society has aided them with cash awards for critical needs on several occasions.

We have honored two attorneys. One buys land outright and gives it to conservation organizations. The other helped us with pro bono work on our Bear Swamp Red Lion Preserve, where we added 340 acres to the existing 500-acre preserve of the Natural Lands Trust.

Classes or clubs in two area schools were among our recipients: Haddonfield Junior High School for a project to earn money to pay for two Canadian eagle chicks to be brought to New Jersey for imprinting locally, and Williamstown High School's S.A.V.E. Club (Students Against Violating the Environment).

These are just a few of the worthwhile conservationists and their projects that we have awarded and in some cases funded.

William W. Leap
Battersby Award Chairman