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Tim Schantz, well known birder and guide, died suddenly from coronary artery disease in 2001 at the age of 36 while guiding a trip to St. Lawrence Island, Alaska. Tim had a consuming passion for birds and spent his life studying them and sharing his love and knowledge with others.
The Tim Schantz Memorial Foundation was established after Tim’s death to honor his passion by promoting interest in birds and birdlife. With these goals in mind, the foundation annually awards a scholarship trip to the Kachemak Bay Shorebird festival held each May in Homer, Alaska. The foundation has also donated Tim’s extensive collection of bird books to the Prince William Sound Science Center, which has established a memorial library in Tim’s name. |
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Ms. Peggy Kuhn - Recipient of 2009 Tim Schantz Memorial Foundation |
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Ms. Peggy Kuhn was selected as the recipient of the 2009 Tim Schantz Memorial trip to the Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival. Peggy birded the Anchorage area with Bob Dittrick, of Wilderness Birding Adventures, and then attended the Kachemak Bay shorebird festival, where she presented her talk on South Texas shorebirds. She was also able to bird with the Kachemak Bay area with both keynote speakers, Yu’pik storyteller Jack Dalton and Paul Baicich, former chair of the ABA’s Bird Education Network. She reportedly added a number of lifers on the trip, including yellow-billed loon, red-faced cormorant and tufted puffin.
Ms. Kuhn recently completed her Masters degree in Wildlife Biology at Louisiana State University. Ms. Kuhn came to Alaska from her home in Kingsville, Texas, where she was serving as the Coordinator of Nature Tours at the King Ranch. Ms. Kuhn was married shortly after her trip to Homer. |
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The Foundation was established with donations from over 225 friends and family of Tim’s from over 25 states and foreign countries. We wish to thank those listed on the attached donor list who have made it possible for us to share Tim’s passion for Birds and Alaska with others. Donations to the Foundation are fully tax deductible and may be sent to:
Tim Schantz Memorial Foundation
2225 230th Lane
Winterset, Iowa 50273 |
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Applications for the 2010 Tim Schantz Memorial Foundation trip |
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Applications for the 2010 Tim Schantz Memorial Foundation trip to the Kachemak Bay shorebird festival are now being accepted until January 15, 2010. The festival will take place May 6-9 in Homer, Alaska. The keynote speakers for the 2010 festival is Peter Harrison, noted birder, author, artist and screenwriter. Mr. Harrison is widely considered to be the world’s foremost authority on seabirds. The application form may be obtained by visiting the Application page on this website. This page also includes an announcement about the trip that may be posted. |
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Kachemak Shorebird Festival Trip |
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The trip includes airfare and travel expenses to the Kachemak Bay shorebird festival <LINK> as well as 1-2 days birding in and around the Anchorage area. Please visit the links page for more information on the shorebird festival. The recipient will participate in the shorebird festival by presenting a topic to the festival attendees. Applications for the trip are accepted beginning in October and are due by January 15th. A link to the electronic application form is below. Applications will be accepted electronically or by mail. For bios and updates of past recipients please visit the recipient page of this website.. |
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