Tucson Audubon Society

Liz Harrison receives the 2011 Volunteer of the Year Award for her hard work and dedication to the organization and the field!

Liz has been a Tucson Audubon Society volunteer since the Agua Caliente Nature Shop first opened, but this year, she went above and beyond the traditional volunteer duties and the Agua Caliente Nature Shop could not have prospered without her. With insight into just what makes Liz so special, Becky Arapacio says that “She was the only one willing to take up the challenge. I can’t say enough about a woman who dedicates herself to us and other community organizations so thoroughly.” Sara Pike adds, “Liz has a positive attitude and cares so much about her volunteer work.” 

As if she’s not busy enough at Tucson Audubon Society, Liz also finds time to volunteer with school reading readiness, community events, as a master gardener with the UA Pima County Extension office, and in the Pima County Education department. A Maryland native, Liz has lived in Tucson for 18 years and became a birder after working in our Nature Shop. Liz especially likes seeing Phainopepla in flight and has even converted her husband Rick Edwards into a birder. In addition, Liz enjoys hiking, traveling, cooking, reading, and playing with her 2-year old German Sheppard, Sheba. As for her favorite place to bird, Liz loves Agua Caliente Parkbecause it is so close by and one never knows what might be found there, especially during spring and fall migrations. 

About the Award
A Tucson Audubon Society Volunteer of the Year demonstrates outstanding leadership, has taken on a high level of responsibility, volunteered in a diverse number of tasks, and has a significant impact on the organization. Our organization, and the birds, environments, and communities in which we work, are stronger because of them.
 

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2011 Spotlight Volunteers

Sherry Massie. [Sherry] conducted research on software for our library to soon bring our collection online, and has put together procedures for the future of our library to make it more accessible to our members... See full spotlight in the October-December 2011 Vermilion Flycatcher.

Shirley S. Davis. Fifty years of Christmas Bird Counts, five years for the Tucson Bird Count, as well as many years of banding birds in Connecticut, show Shirley to be a die-hard advanced level birder… See full spotlight in the July-September 2011 Vermilion Flycatcher.

Jessie Bhangoo. Jessie is not a birder, but a technical guru and problem solver, and most notably a great guy... See full spotlight in the April-June 2011 Vermilion Flycatcher.