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Paulette Van De Zande Volunteer Award

Paulette Van De Zande img

This award was created in 2019 in honor of Paulette Van De Zande. Recipients of the Paulette Van de Zande VOLUNTEER AWARD will be chosen by a suitable committee of Wake Audubon Society members on an annual basis (or as otherwise deemed appropriate). The recipient will embody a similar spirit of fellowship with others as a result of sharing common attitudes and interests and will demonstrate a commitment to the initiatives and goals of Wake Audubon Society to further its mission.

RESOLUTION HONORING

PAULETTE VAN DE ZANDE

and establishing the

PAULETTE VAN DE ZANDE VOLUNTEER AWARD

on behalf of

WAKE AUDUBON SOCIETY, RALEIGH, NC

WHEREAS, it is the desire of the Board of Wake Audubon Society to honor and show gratitude to Paulette Van de Zande for her commitment and many years of volunteer service; and

WHEREAS, Paulette has been a loyal and devoted member and Board member of Wake Audubon Society since 1978; and

WHEREAS, Paulette has baked homemade cookies and cakes for refreshments after nearly every monthly meeting for more than 30 years, donating both time and years of expenses to this endeavor; and

WHEREAS, Paulette worked to support Wake Audubon activities through her membership in the Raleigh Garden Club by planning birding outings and asking for financial support for various projects from their members; and

WHEREAS, Paulette supported other Wake Audubon fundraising projects by seeking in-kind and financial contributions; and

WHEREAS, Paulette manages her home landscape for wildlife in addition to feeding and sharing wildlife observations in her yard and garden with others; and

WHEREAS, Paulette’s actions embody the spirit of the Wake Audubon mission, “To foster knowledge, appreciation, and enjoyment of nature; to encourage responsible environmental stewardship; to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats, for the benefit of humanity and the earth’s biological diversity.”

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Wake Audubon Society hereby establishes the Paulette Van de Zande VOLUNTEER AWARD.  Through the establishment of this Award, members and friends of Wake Audubon Society hereby convey the deepest expression of gratitude and appreciation for the volunteer contributions of Paulette. Recipients of the Paulette Van de Zande VOLUNTEER AWARD will be chosen by a suitable committee of Wake Audubon Society members on an annual basis (or as otherwise deemed appropriate). The recipient will embody a similar spirit of fellowship with others as a result of sharing common attitudes and interests and will demonstrate a commitment to the initiatives and goals of Wake Audubon Society to further its mission.

This Resolution will be entered into the official record and minutes of Wake Audubon Society and in addition will be published in appropriate manners for the public record.

Presented on behalf of Wake Audubon Society on this 13th day of August, 2019.

2025 honoree: Diane Hardy

Since the 1980s, Diane has been a vital part of Wake Audubon — from managing our annual Bird Seed Sale fundraiser to serving as Chapter Treasurer through the 1990s and 2000s. She helped launch our most successful fundraiser to date, Bids for the Birds, and has provided hospitality and heart at countless meetings and events. She’s also a cherished presence at our annual Christmas Bird Counts — often spotted at Yates Mill Pond — and a friend to many longtime members. Diane’s quiet leadership and brilliant sense of humor have made her an unforgettable part of our story.

2024 honoree: Larry Zoller

Larry is the Chair of the WAS Education and Outreach Committee and retired middle school teacher. He is extensively involved in leading bird walks, organizing and presenting nature-oriented talks, and representing Wake Audubon at various events. He loves sharing wildlife discoveries from his frequent international travels and participating in North Carolina Audubon’s Advocacy Day. Larry has a knack for connecting with youth in ways they can relate to, whether it’s setting up a plastic spider jump-scare, showing off animal skulls, or simulating animal skat. Larry was a quiet champion for conservation at Hilltop Needmore Park in Fuquay-Varina. Thanks to his tireless photo documentation of park wildlife, residents were moved to vote down a development bond. 

2022 honoree: Erla Beegle

Erla Beegle img

Erla Beegle has been a devoted volunteer with Wake Audubon for over 10 years. She has selflessly shared more than 1,000 hours of her time leading bird walks, working on conservation projects, tabling, and organizing our calendar and Meetup group. Engaging within and beyond Wake Audubon, she builds community around birds by sharing her unflagging enthusiasm, mentoring fledgling birders, and inviting everyone into the group. She has also contributed countless hours to science by recording daily eBird checklists and recording NC Bird Atlas data across the state.

2021 honoree: Keith Jensen

Keith Jensen img

Keith Jensen embodies a spirit of fellowship with others. As a Research Technician at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences, Keith works alongside many organizations and gets to connect people with birds through a host of outreach programs. He has also been instrumental in raising community awareness of declining species like the Chimney Swift and Brown-headed Nuthatch. Learn more about Keith’s contributions in our latest blog.