The WOS President’s Medal will be awarded for a particularly significant contribution to ornithology in Wales. It may be given to an individual or to a group, such as a bird club or ringing group. It differs from the WOS Lifetime Achievement Award in that it is awarded for one particular contribution to ornithology in Wales, usually over a shorter period than the Lifetime Achievement Award. This contribution could involve publishing a book or papers on birds in Wales, editing ornithological journals or county bird reports, serving as County Recorder, organising or participating in survey work, counts or bird ringing, facilitating public engagement with birds and ornithology and other activities relating to birds in Wales. Work done outside Wales is not eligible for the award.

The award is intended to recognise voluntary, unpaid work. The award cannot be given solely for paid work, for example by RSPB, BTO or Wildlife Trust staff, or paid surveys by ecological consultants, unless the person concerned has contributed significant voluntary time above and beyond the work paid for. Voluntary work for an organisation which has its own Medal scheme covering that type of work will normally not be eligible for the WOS President’s Medal.

Any member of WOS or an affiliated group in Wales can nominate a person for the award. The nominee does not have to be a WOS member to receive the award. Individuals who are currently members of WOS Council cannot be nominated for the award.

Normally, no more than two awards will be made per year. The decision on awarding a WOS President’s Medal will be made by WOS Council. If no nominations have been received in a particular year, or if WOS Council feels that no nominee merits the award, there will be no award that year.

Each award is produced as a metal medal for the winner to keep. They will be presented to the winner at the WOS Annual Conference, to which the nominee will be invited as a special guest.

The closing date for nominations for a particular year is 30th June. The form for nominations and associated guidelines are currently being prepared. This post will be updated with links to the documentation as soon as this is ready – please read them carefully when they’re available.