The program, which began in 2010, is named for Russel Mumford and Charles Keller, co-authors of "The Birds of Indiana", a landmark1984 reference on the state's birds. The silent auction at the Indiana Dunes Birding Festival, along with donations, helps to fund the award program.  Applications open each June 1 and closes on August 15, with the awards announced in the fall.

 

This year's request totaled more than $58,700, over twice the amount of the funds available ($25,500).  Priority went to projects that directly benefit birds and their habitats, especially those projects that also built on local partnerships.

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"From lost habitat to window collisions, birds in Indiana need help in a lot of places, and no single organization can be everywhere", said Brad Bumgardner, executive director of Indiana Audubon.  "These grants and scholarships let us support the local groups and people already doing that work.  Some of the awards are only a few hundred dollars, but together they add up to more habitat for birds and more people who care about them."

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Several awards were made to various organizations throughout Indiana, with the only representative group in southern Indiana being the Evansville Audubon Society.  The $2,000 award presented to EAS will be used to enhance wetland habitat at the Cane Ridge Wildlife Management Area of the Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge.