Nature News
Written by Bill Fenimore of Wild Bird Center
August 27, 2009
The Wild Bird Center of Layton, Utah was awarded the Utah Business of the Year 2009 in Environmental Education. Bill Fenimore, author, naturalist, birding expert and owner of the Wild Bird Center, proudly received the award that was presented by the Utah Society of Environmental Education. Fenimore noted during the award ceremonies that the Wild Bird Center provides him the forum for educating the community, particularly its youth on the values and importance of wildlife.
Governor Jon Huntsman has appointed Bill Fenimore, owner of the Wild Bird Center to the Utah Wildlife Board. The Utah Senate confirmed Fenimore's appointment in May 2009. The Utah Wildlife Board is the ultimate authority on the establishment of rules and regulations for management of wildlife in Utah through the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.
Governor Jon Huntsman had earlier appointed Bill Fenimore, owner of the Wild Bird Center to the Great Salt Lake Advisory Council. The purpose of the Advisory Council was to review the Utah's management and protection role of Great Salt Lake. Additionally, the Advisory Council reviewed state and federal agencies, public interests, uses and pressures on the natural resource. The Advisory Council made recommendations to the Governor for the future vision and management of Great Salt Lake to protect and conserve this vital natural resource.
Bill Fenimore, owner of the "Wild Bird Center of Layton, Utah", was selected as the International Franchise Association's (IFA) "Franchisee of the Year" and honored at a special IFA event held September 15, 2008 in Washington, D.C. The award is presented to franchise owners singled out for exceptional performance.
"Bill Fenimore was a natural to recommend for this outstanding industry title," said Henrik Lehmann Weng, CEO, Wild Bird Centers of America. "Bill enthusiastically adopted our business development program to grow his business and is now one of the top three, high-growth stores in our franchise."
Fenimore, along with his partner and son, Billy Fenimore, updated and remodeled their store, hired new staff and turned the store into a model Wild Bird Center franchise. His business acumen drove an unprecedented press, radio and television effort and his passion for the natural world positioned him as a community, regional and national leader. This year, Mr. Fenimore won two prestigious national awards; the "Roger Tory Peterson Nature Education Achievement Award" from the Roger Tory Peterson Institute and the "Ludlow Griscom Award for Outstanding Contributions to Regional Ornithology" from the American Birding Association. Mr. Fenimore also became a nationally-recognized author in 2008 with publication of his "Backyard Bird Guides" series, providing a specific guide to backyard birds for each of the 50 states. He recently was appointed by the Governor of Utah to serve on the newly established Great Salt Lake Advisory Council.
"I am much honored to receive this recognition from the Wild Bird Centers of America and award from the IFA," said Fenimore, who attended the 9th Annual Franchise Appreciation Day Convention, held in Washington, DC. "I have an excellent staff and partner who are critical to the store's success and I appreciate all the support received from Wild Bird Centers of America."
Bill has owned and operated the Wild Bird Center of Layton, Utah since 2001. He serves on the Boards of numerous nature organizations in Utah and conducts seminars and workshops that educate the public about wild birds and their critical habitat needs. He also leads birding field trips for clients from around the globe.
The Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History, Jamestown, New York, in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Roger Tory Peterson, has awarded its prestigious "Roger Tory Peterson Nature Education Achievement Award" to Bill Fenimore of Layton, Utah. This national award spotlights individuals and their communities to stimulate others to improve and expand the quality of nature education programs across North America.
Fenimore is an author, educator, naturalist and avid birder. He owns and operates the Wild Bird Center® of Layton, Utah, a franchise of the Wild Bird Centers of America® (www.wildbird.com). He is author of the popular "Backyard Birds Guide series" which identify the "Top 25 Backyard Birds" in each of the 50 U.S. States plus providing important advice to enhance the backyard wild bird watching and bird feeding experience.
The American Birding Association (ABA) announced that its 2008 national Ludlow Griscom Award, the ABA's prestigious and highest honor for Outstanding Contributions in Regional Ornithology will be presented to Wild Bird Center owner, Bill Fenimore at its national convention.
ABA states this "award is given to individuals who have dramatically advanced the state of ornithological knowledge for a particular region. This may be through their long-time contributions in monitoring avian status and distribution, facilitating the publication of state bird books, breeding bird atlases and significant papers on the regional natural history of birds. This may also be through the force of their personality, teaching and inspiration."
Bill joins many important contributors to American ornithology, including the first recipient of the award, Roger Tory Peterson, in 1980.
The ABA Ludlow Griscom Award is sponsored by Nikon who presented Bill with a plaque and a Nikon Scope and Digital Camera at the ABA 2008 convention held in Utah at Snowbird Lodge, June 24, 2008. Leupold gave a $1,000 contribution to the ABA Education Fund in recognition of Bill's contributions in regional ornithology.
Fenimore conducts seminars and workshops which focus on the birds of Utah and landscaping for wildlife. He also leads frequent field trips on nature with a birding focus through his Wild Bird Center® franchise store.
The Wild Bird Centers of America, Inc. announced that Bill Fenimore, owner of the Wild Bird Center of Layton, Utah, was selected, as its first franchisee honored with the company's most prestigious "Hall of Fame" award. In just six years of operation, Bill has become Utah's "Birding Ambassador" by donating his time and talents to numerous local, state and federal wildlife agencies, boards and organizations. He is featured often on local radio and TV programs and writes a weekly birding column for the Salt Lake City Tribune newspaper. He is also the author of a series of backyard birding guides to published in Spring, 2008. The Wild Bird Centers of America, Inc. is delighted to recognize Bill's extraordinary achievements by conferring this Hall of Fame Award. Congratulations!
The Wild Bird Center is a tremendous community resource with extensive free outreach programs. Its Outreach Program has won 6 National awards recognizing the efforts of Bill Fenimore, owner of the Wild Bird Center. Utah Division of Wildlife Resources late Director, Kevin Conway and current Director Jim Karpowitz have each presented Fenimore with the Utah Wildlife Division Partnership Award.
The WBC expert staff makes free educational nature presentations to scouting groups, schools, senior centers, garden clubs, conservation groups and many other organizations throughout the top of Utah. Backyard habitat, landscaping for wildlife, enjoying wildlife and wild bird identification are just a few of the classes available. Currently, the Wild Bird Center hosts the Utah Rare Bird Alert and Fenimore writes a weekly Bird Sightings column for the Salt Lake Tribune.
The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR), Executive Director, Jim Karpowitz asked Bill Fenimore, Layton, Wild Bird Center owner to join the Board of Directors of the newly founded Utah Wildlife In Need Conservation Organization (www.uwing.org). The Foundation is a vision that Director Karpowitz has for funding native wildlife research, projects and education. It is an offshoot of the Great Salt Lake Interpretive Trust that has been transformed into this Foundation. The Foundation will be a vehicle for Utah citizens, organizations, businesses and others to donate directly to the future of the state's diverse and often overlooked native wildlife. Bill is looking forward to working for native wildlife and growing this important Foundation.