Concord, NH - The staff and board of trustees of New Hampshire Audubon congratulate Robert Vallieres, Raptor Volunteer, on being awarded the Spirit of New Hampshire Award (Adult Category) by Volunteer NH!

Each fall, a statewide celebration is held in Concord to present Spirit of New Hampshire Awards in two major groups - Volunteer Service Awards and Volunteer Program Champion Awards.  The Volunteer Service Awards recognize individuals and groups who provide volunteer services that strengthen communities and improve the lives of the citizens of New Hampshire. These awards honor outstanding volunteers - or groups of volunteers - who reflect the strong ethic of service and volunteerism in our state.  This annual recognition program is administered by Volunteer NH in collaboration with the Office of the Governor.  Spirit of New Hampshire awards honor outstanding contributions to volunteerism throughout the state of New Hampshire.  The 2009 Award Celebration will be held November 10th at the Grappone Center in Concord. 

Robert Vallieres has been a volunteer with New Hampshire Audubon for more than 12 years.  A military veteran injured during active service in the Persian Gulf, Vallieres returned home to New Hampshire and after a field trip to view several of the state’s peregrine falcon nesting cliffs he became “hooked” on raptors.  He made New Hampshire Audubon a part of his personal recovery through countless hours of volunteering.

 In his supporting letter for the award nomination, NH Audubon Conservation Biologist Chris Martin wrote “Robert developed a fascination for peregrine falcons, an uncanny eye for spotting them, and an exceptional gift for teaching others about them… After first volunteering with Audubon’s peregrine monitoring project, he began volunteering with other Conservation Department projects, including bald eagle monitoring, common nighthawk monitoring, and other projects.”

He also wrote that “Robert possesses a disarming and infectious enthusiasm for wildlife, but his true passion is for birds of prey.  His genuine and approachable manner means that kids and adults flock around him when he shows up with a red-tailed hawk perched upon his arm.  He has used volunteering at Audubon as a way to heal his wounds, and in the process, has influenced the lives of countless others.  With over a decade of commitment to New Hampshire Audubon, his service and dedication have contributed immeasurably to our raptor field monitoring and environmental education programs.”

Vallieres is the face of New Hampshire Audubon each fall at the organization’s Raptor Migration Observatory at the Carter Hill Orchard in Concord, NH. 

Robert is present every single day for the month of September and for a couple of weeks into October at the observatory.  More than 2,000 visitors were welcomed by Robert last year as he spotted, counted and identified raptors flying overhead in their annual migration to South America.  New Hampshire Audubon’s Director of Organizational Development, Patricia Casey, wrote in the nomination letter “This is all wonderful, of course, but the magic happens when visitors climb the stairs of the observation platform to peer into the sky for a hawk or an eagle.  Robert hands a visitor a pair of binoculars and says ‘Look - a broad-winged hawk!’  He shows them how to spot and identify the raptors, explains the importance of the work New Hampshire Audubon is doing to protect the natural resources in this state and converts each person from visitor to citizen scientist.”

About New Hampshire Audubon
New Hampshire Audubon’s mission is to protect New Hampshire’s natural environment for wildlife and for people. It is an independent statewide membership organization with five nature centers throughout the state. Expert educators give programs to children, families, and adults at centers and in schools. Staff biologists and volunteers conduct bird conservation efforts such as the Peregrine Falcon restoration. New Hampshire Audubon protects thousands of acres of wildlife habitat and is a voice for sound public policy on environmental issues. For information on New Hampshire Audubon, including membership, volunteering, programs, sanctuaries, and publications, call 224-9909, or visit www.nhaudubon.org.