Rhode Island Distinguished Naturalist Award

The Rhode Island Distinguished Naturalist Award is presented by the Rhode Island Natural History Survey to an individual who has made outstanding contributions to advancing our knowledge of Rhode Island’s organisms, geology, and ecosystems. In particular, we want to identify those who have excelled in one or more of the following areas:

• made significant contributions in the advancement of scientific knowledge of Rhode Island’s organisms, geology, and ecosystems as evidenced by published books, scientific papers, and monographs;
• is recognized as an outstanding teacher and educator to students and the public on the form, functions, and ecological significance of Rhode Island’s biota and natural systems;
• made significant contributions in enhancing public awareness of the importance of understanding the natural history of Rhode Island’s ecosystems.

Recipients of the RINHS Distinguished Naturalist Award

Irene H. Stuckey (1995)
Richard L. Champlin (1996)
Douglas L. Kraus (1998)
Francis C. Golet (1999)
Prentice K. Stout (2000)
E. Douglas Rayner (2001)
Grace Klein-MacPhee (2002)
Hugh Willoughby (2003)
David L. Emerson (2004)
Roger D. Goos (2005)
Elise Lapham (2006)
Christopher Nerone (2007)
Richard Enser (2008)

Posthumous Distinguished Naturalist Awards

In 2000, the RINHS Board of Directors began a tradition of giving Posthumous Distinguished Naturalist Awards to natural historians who have helped form the basis of today’s knowledge. The posthumous awards have gone to:

2000     Elizabeth Dickens (1877-1964)
Mark Gould (1946-1999)
2002     Les Sirkin (1933-2000)
2003     Harry Hathaway (1869-1946)
2004     Harold Nelson Gibbs (1886-1970)
C. Robert Shoop (1935-2003)
2005     Elmer A. Palmatier (1912-1995)
2007     Gil George (1922-1999)
2008     Ken Weber (1943-2007)

How to Nominate a Distinguished Naturalist

Distinguished Naturalists are selected by the RINHS Board of Directors. To nominate someone, send a letter or email to the RINHS office marked “Attention: DNA” or contact a member of the Board of Directors. In your correspondence please describe the ways in which your nominee excelled in one or more of the three criteria described above. Please include as much specific detail as possible, as we may not be personnally familiar with your nominee’s work. Decisions are made in January for presentation at the annual RINHS conference in March, but nominations may be made at any time. Unsuccessful nominations are rolled over into the pool for the following year.

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