The American Ornithological Society (AOS) is pleased to give the 2017 Ralph W. Schreiber Conservation Award to Dr. Daniel Roby of the U.S. Geological Survey–Oregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at Oregon State University (OSU). This award goes to an individual or small team that has demonstrated extraordinary scientific contributions to the conservation, restoration, or preservation of birds and/or their habitats.
Dan's primary research addresses reproductive energetics of birds, especially seabirds. He uses energetic and nutritional approaches to better understand and help resolve wildlife management issues, including seabird–fisheries interactions, long-term impacts of oil spills, and the impacts of anthropogenic disturbance.
Over his 40-year career, Dan's efforts have ranged from recovering birds oiled in the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Prince William Sound, to protecting the largest colony of Double-crested Cormorants and Caspian Terns nesting on the Columbia River, to creating the third breeding colony for the nearly extinct Chinese Crested Tern. Wading into contentious waters and endless government bureaucracies, Dan's contributions to resolving recent issues related to predator control have been especially notable.
Dan has trained graduate students and postdocs far beyond what is required by his USGS position. He has also found time to teach in the International MIGRATE Training program over the past several years at OSU and in Mexico and Brazil.
The Ralph W. Schreiber Conservation Award, established in 2005, recognizes extraordinary scientific contributions to the conservation, restoration, or preservation of birds and/or their habitats by an individual or small team. The award honors Ralph Schreiber, a prominent figure in the AOU known for his enthusiasm, energy, and dedication to research and conservation. The award consists of a framed certificate and an honorarium provided by the AOS's endowed Ralph W. Schreiber Fund. To read about the award, go to http://www.americanornithology.org/content/aos-schreiber-award. To read about the previous recipients, go to http://www.americanornithology.org/content/aos-schreiber-award-recipients.
