Earlier today, Audubon California, Bay Nature, PRBO and other organizations/publications reported the recent passing of PRBO Conservation ornithologist and renowned California birder Rich Stallcup (shown here with partner Heather Cameron, photo by Juliet Grable at Bay Nature). International Bird Rescue director Jay Holcomb has this remembrance:
In order to protect wildlife and nature, you have to love them. Then, through enthusiastic sharing and teaching about what you love, you can’t help but inspire change, both in people’s lives and in the policies that protect what you are devoted to.
That is exactly what Rich Stallcup did in his life. His absolute devotion and love for nature, and birds in particular, evoked many changes and taught us about the important things in life: being in harmony with nature, protecting it and seeing its value and beauty.
Rich passed away last week, and International Bird Rescue would like to recognize his vision, leadership and contribution to nature conservation. Rich was a founder of Point Reyes Bird Observatory (PRBO) and served on its board of directors. He was also president of Western Field Ornithologists, regional editor for American Birds and a member of the California Bird Records Committee.
Rich published many scientific papers, four books about birds and 60 “Focus” articles in PRBO’s newsletter, the Observer. From 1976 to 1988, Rich was an owner and tour leader for WINGS birding tours and led many PRBO tours prior to that. In 2002, the American Birding Association presented Rich with the Ludlow Griscom Award for outstanding contributions to American ornithology. In his later years, he served as PRBO’s naturalist and worked with the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary Beach Watch Program (in 1998 he was even designated “Star of the Sanctuary” for Cordell Bank).
What a legacy — for the birds in our world and the people who love them. We’ll miss you, Rich.