2011 IOS Grant Awards
One of IOS's objectives is "To promote scientific research and education in order to improve knowledge and awareness of birds in Illinois". The IOS Grants Program was initiated several years ago to support this objective with funds.
The 2011 IOS Grant Program received 14 grant requests. As a result of the generosity of several groups and individuals seven $1,000 grants were awarded. In addition to IOS provided funds, thanks to the following for their generous help:
- Illinois Ornithological Society
- The Chicago Ornithological Society
- Kane County Chapter of the Illinois Audubon Society
- Donnie Dann, Carl & Pen Daubach, Bob & Karen Fisher, Stephen Fluett, Brian Herriott, David & Diane Kennedy, Alex Meloy, Joan Norek, David Patrick, Robert Shelby, Jeffrey A. Smith, Marsha Steffen, Vicky Sroczynski, and John Burke
- Anonymous IOS Members
Thanks again to Steve Bailey and Jeff Walk for reviewing and rating all the requests.
Congratulations to the winners and watch for their project articles in future issues of Meadowlark, A Journal of Illinois Birds.
2011 IOS Grant Recipients
1)Jason Fischer, U of I-Champaign: Evaluate relationships between avian abundance, food availability and predation
2)Kelly R. Van Beck, U of I-Champaign: Study nesting ecology of grassland birds in no-till and tilled soybean fields near grassy areas planted for wildlife habitat.
3)John Andrews, U of I-Champaign: Study habitat selection by Grasshopper Sparrow in restored
grasslands to develop successful INHS management and conservation techniques.
4)Bethany Krebs, U of I-Champaign: Radio-telemetry study of communal American Robin behaviors to determine role their roosting behaviors play in spread of West Nile virus in Chicago suburbs.
5)Virginia Abernathy, Western Illinois U: Study role UV light plays in a cowbird host’s ability to discriminate between its own and cowbird eggs.
6)Annina Rupe, Western Illinois U: Determine the niche requirements of the Eurasian Tree Sparrow to learn why its range is restricted.
7)Antonio Celis- Murillo, U of I-Champaign: Explore the significance of dawn bird chorus at temperate and subtropical latitudes to develop acoustical recording method to rapidly, effectively survey birds at dawn.