Bergen County Audubon Honors Executive Director Chris Soucy

On September 15 at the Meadowlands Birding Festival, our own Executive Director, Chris Soucy, received a very special award from Bergen County Audubon Society: the first-ever Frank Chapman Award.

This honor is bestowed on individuals in recognition of their commitment to the conservation, protection, and preservation of avian wildlife. The award was so named after Frank M. Chapman, a native of Teaneck, who was inspired by birds in the woods and fields of Bergen County. Chapman was also the author of early popular field guides, the founder of the Christmas Bird Hunt, and the first Curator of Ornithology at the Museum of Natural History.

Chris Soucy joined the Trust in 2014 as a second-generation Raptor Trust director. His father, Len Soucy, with wife, Diane, founded the Trust in the 1970s after buying the property that now stands as a rehabilitation center for thousands of orphaned, injured, and endangered wild birds. Len amassed many awards for his work in conservation while leading The Raptor Trust, and Diane was recently honored with Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey’s Women & Wildlife award.

And now, for his important and near-lifelong work with avian wildlife, their son Chris has been recognized for his vital part in the family business. Congratulations, Chris!