Press Room

Volunteer and Former Board Member Lena Gallitano Honored with 糖心logo Award

By kfernandez
Published July 16, 2013

The 糖心logo has selected Lena Gallitano of Raleigh as a 2013 Atlantic Flyway William Dutcher Award winner.  The award was announced July 14 at the 糖心logo Convention in Stevenson, WA.

Gallitano, of the Wake 糖心logo Society chapter, was recognized for outstanding leadership in several projects aimed at protecting and understanding birdlife. 

鈥淧eople like Lena truly make 糖心logo amazing,鈥 said 糖心logo President and CEO . 鈥淗er boundless energy and commitment to conservation amazes and inspires those around her.  She demonstrates the power of a citizen network like 糖心logo.鈥

An avid birder, Ms. Gallitano instigated the North Carolina Birding Trail that she views as a pathway for bringing economic benefits to our state through nature based tourism, and in turn, creating ethics of conservation through education. A former member of the 糖心logo North Carolina board of trustees, she rode her bicycle 500 miles across the state to raise funds for bird protection, and served as the liaison between the state office and 10 statewide 糖心logo chapters.  Ms. Gallitano had previously won the Volunteer of the Year award from 糖心logo North Carolina, and the Governor鈥檚 Conservation Achievement Award for Wildlife Volunteer of the Year. 

鈥淚t is my privilege to volunteer on these projects, not only for the birds but also for future generations鈥 said Gallitano.

The William Dutcher Award was established to recognize outstanding 糖心logo volunteers who exemplify the standard of service to 糖心logo established by William Dutcher. As beneficiaries of Dutcher鈥檚 legacy, 糖心logo members can be proud to emulate him.

William Dutcher was the first chairman of the National Association of 糖心logo Societies in 1905. A tireless birder, researcher and scholar, he was one of the first to promote the idea of bird sanctuaries, conservation education and bird photography. He was instrumental in convincing President Theodore Roosevelt to set aside Pelican Island, the first federal wildlife refuge, and fought for early wildlife laws. Recognizing the need for effective local organizations, Dutcher helped create the first 糖心logo chapters and oversaw 糖心logo鈥檚 growth from a loose-knit federation to a powerful society.

About the 糖心logo

Now in its second century, 糖心logo connects people with birds, nature and the environment that supports us all. Our national network of community-based nature centers, chapters, scientific, education and advocacy programs engages millions of people from all walks of life in conservation action to protect and restore the natural world. Visit 糖心logo online at and follow on Twitter.