Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Morrison 'Hatches' big award

Pilar Armstrong El Defensor Chieftain Reporter,parmstrong@dcheiftain.com

The feathered friends at the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge are fortunate to have Jonathan Morrison as an advocate.

Morrison recently received the Martha Hatch Award for his service to the Friends of the Bosque del Apache.

"Jon is a planner and a future thinker," said Leigh Ann Vradenburg, executive director of the Friends organization. "He's always thinking about future ways to raise money."

The Friends of the Bosque del Apache NWR established the Martha Hatch award in 1998 to be issued each year to an individual who has provided exemplary service to the organization. The Award was named in honor of its first recipient, who for many years produced a newsletter for the refuge, which also became the circular for the Friends of the Bosque after their formation in 1993. Morrison also served as editor of the Friends' newsletter for five years.

When asked how he felt about receiving the award Morrison humbly replied, "Quite honored. There were more people who were more worthy of it."

Jon and his wife, Jan, moved to New Mexico because of the refuge. They wanted to provide assistance and help the refuge achieve their goals.

"I saw the refuge as a great laboratory for education," Morrison said.

Morrison oversaw the addition of the Lannan Education Annex. The annex was funded by a $600,000 in grant money from the Lannan Foundation. The education annex included the new Friends Nature Store, which sells a variety of birdwatching paraphernalia.

Morrison also started the process of obtaining the Chupadera Peak for the refuge by negotiating a price with the ranchers who owned the land.

An active birdwatcher himself, Morrison uses his Bruton binoculars and spotting scope to observe the many species of birds at the refuge.

"Birding is one of the least expensive hobbies once you get the binoculars and birding books," Morrison said

It's safe to say that the birds and refuge are better off for his hobby.

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