On December 4, members and friends of the Robert Cooper Audubon Society gathered to celebrate individuals and organizations that make noteworthy contributions to conservation and environmental education in our region.
Our chapter’s highest honor, the Robert H. and Esther L. Cooper Conservation Award—for overall contributions to, conservation of and appreciation for the natural environment—went to Sheryl Myers, of Anderson.
Sheryl’s extensive contributions include co-founding the White River Watchers of Madison County, which sponsors one or two river clean-ups each year; serving as a founding board member of the Red-tail Land Conservancy; helping found the Heart of the River, which is dedicated to protecting the White River and Mounds State Park from an economic development plan to dam the river near downtown Anderson; and co-writing the weekly column “On Nature” for the Anderson Herald-Bulletin.
“Sheryl Myers has advanced conservation both on the ground and in the public consciousness—making her an extraordinary and deserving candidate for this award,” wrote one of her nominators. Another attested that “she sets an inspiring example of how individual commitment can shape a future where land, water, and wildlife are treasured and protected.”
The Clyde W. Hibbs Conservation Education Award, which recognizes excellence in educating the area’s children, youth, and /or adults on conservation issues and practices, was presented to Diana Bowman, of Hagerstown.
For 28 years, in Hagerstown and New Castle, Diana has inspired students to become passionate stewards of the natural world through hands-on activities. Her student-based activities include coaching Envirothon teams, taking students to Costa Rica, helping lead New Castle’s Cool the Climate Festival, participating in Ohio River clean-ups, removing invasive plant species, and planting native trees.
“A lifelong learner and passionate traveler, she seeks to show students the world with ‘new eyes, instilling in them the confidence and responsibility to protect it for generations to come,” wrote Diana’s nominator.
The Richard Greene Public Service Award celebrates active involvement in serving the public’s environmental interests. This year we honored Keith Morris, of Anderson.
For five years, Morris served as volunteer caretaker of Anderson’s Edgewater Park, to mow, clean, and remove trash. Since 2009, as a volunteer in every White River Watchers clean-up, he has removed approximately 200 tires and 5-6 tons of trash. He takes the lead in clearing fallen limbs and other barriers for other volunteers and removing large debris that is too large for individual paddlers to handle.
“For Keith, the river is his therapy,” commented his nominator—a passion that began in Pennsylvania, where “the polluted state of the Conemaugh River inspired Keith to become a lifelong river steward.”
The Phyllis Yuhas Wildlife Habitat Preservation Award, which is given for development or preservation of habitat that contains significant wildlife and/or native plant life populations, was awarded to Ryan Smith, of Bluffton.
Ryan has been the East Central Regional Ecologist in 15 counties for the Indiana DNR Division of Nature Preserves since 2022. Based in Geneva, Ind., he has put his expertise on native plants and invasive species control to valuable use in helping restore, maintain and expand properties in the Limberlost Swamp Conservation Area, most recently facilitating the planting of 10,000 hardwood trees.
“Ryan is making a difference because he is passionate about the land,” attests his nominator. “It is not just a job or career for him.”
Chayson Brown, of Bluffton, was presented with the Charles Wise Youth Conservation Award, for excellence in conservation practices by a youth under the age of 18.
For his Eagle Scout Project, as a member of Scouts BSA Troop 149, Chayson created three boot scrape stations with interpretive signs for the Limberlost Conservation Area, with the help of his troop, parents (Mary and Donald Brown), Regional Ecologist Ryan Smith, the Indiana DNR, and Friends of the Limberlost. The boot scrapes are designed to prevent the spread of invasive species’ seeds on trails at three Limberlost sites.
The Friends of the Limberlost, who nominated Chayson for this award, commended his commitment and dedication to helping protect the natural environment with this important project.
Past Award Winners
Our chapter presented its first two conservation awards in 1983 and quickly expanded to four annual awards. The Charles D. Wise Youth Conservation Award followed in 2003. Since then, our chapter has honored more than 160 individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to conservation and environmental education in East Central Indiana and beyond. All five awards given today are named in honor of individuals who’ve led such efforts.
Download the PDF below to see the complete list of honorees.
Robert Cooper Audubon Society 