Leonard Place, of Oshkosh, has received the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Bluebird Restoration Association of Wisconsin (BRAW). 

President Steve Sample noted: “Leonard’s long-time efforts and support of cavity nesting birds is much appreciated and worthy of this recognition.”

A retired instructor at Fox Valley Technical College, Place said that “much can be learned about the health of our environment just from observing the avian world.”

“Growing up on a farm, I was introduced to birds at an early age while roaming the fields and woods,” said Place. “Once, I fell out a tall tree while checking on a bird nest and suffered a broken collar bone,” he added.

At one time, Place monitored 80 bluebird nest boxes with his mentor Frank Zuern. Now, at age 90, he suggests that, “The best thing people can do for birds is to create healthy habitat, including food sources.  Bluebird nest boxes are just part of that effort.”

He also believes that the word “restoration” speaks to not only the avian world but all areas of our sensitive environment.

In accepting the award, he said: “My heart is beating with gratitude for the work BRAW does for bluebirds.”

Place was born near El Paso and graduated from Ellsworth High School in 1954. He enlisted in the Air Force in October 1954 for four years before going to college.

Established in 1986, BRAW’s 900 members manage and monitor 7,000 nest boxes statewide which annually produce thousands of bluebird fledglings and a like number of other native cavity dwellers.  More information about BRAW and bluebirds is available at: www.braw.org.

Submitted by Bluebird Restoration Assn. of WI