2026 Chicago Audubon Environmental Awards

Protector of the Environment - Single Act (Group): Kloempken Woods and Prairie Preserve Volunteers

Protector of the Environment - Single Act (Individual): Jeff Bilsky

Protector of the Environment – Avocation: Ken Schaefer

Protector of the Environment – Avocation: Stan Stec

Protector of the Environment – Vocation: Allison Sacerdote-Velat, Ph.D.

Protector of the Environment - Group: Somme Woods and Prairie Preserves Volunteers

Service to Chicago Area Birders: Al Stokie

First Friend of Chicago Bird Alliance: Cheryl Muth

First Friend of Chicago Bird Alliance: Marian Nicksich

First Friend of Chicago Bird Alliance: Jennie Strable

Excellence in Environmental Reporting – Print: Brett Chase

Protector of the Environment - Political Advocacy: Cheryl Johnson

Protector of the Environment - Political Service: Chicago Alderman Timmy Knudsen

Good Business Neighbor: Vortex Optics

Young Environmentalist: Ima Akagawa

Header Photo of Long-tailed Duck by Russel Smith/Audubon Photography Awards