Tuck-Walters Award

The Tuck/Walters Award

This award is named in memory of Dr. Leslie M. Tuck and Captain Harry Walters. Dr. Les Tuck was Newfoundland’s first Dominion Wildlife Officer, and Harry Walters was the Director of the Newfoundland Rangers Force. Following Confederation with Canada, Dr. Tuck headed the Canadian Wildlife Service in the province - a position he held for more than twenty-five years. In the latter part of his long and distinguished career, Dr. Tuck held the L. J. Paton Research Professorship in the Psyschology Department of Memorial University. He was instrumental in the reactivation of the Natural History Society in the 1950’s. Captain Harry Walters served for many years as the Head of the Newfoundland Wildlife Division, which he was instrumental in establishing.

Both Walters, working provincially, and Tuck, working federally, were instrumental in establishing our province’s first seabird reserves (Funk Island, Cape St. Mary’s, Witless Bay, and Hare Bay) and the former Avalon Wilderness Area. Their combined efforts put natural history awareness, protection and appreciation on a solid footing in Newfoundland and Labrador. Although they were employed in resource conservation and management careers, their enthusiasm and dedication transcended their duties, and it is for these qualities that the society has chosen to honor their memory with this award.

The Tuck/Walters Award is discretionary - it does not have to be given out every year. On the other hand, it may be given to more than one recipient if the Nominating Committee feels this is appropriate. Successful candidates are individuals who have made outstanding and enduring contributions to the advancement of natural history appreciation and protection in Newfoundland and Labrador, outside the parameters of their employment responsibilities.

Previous Tuck/Walters Award Winners:
Dr. Don Barton
Gregory Mitchell
George Brinson
Michael Nolan
Bill Davis
Dr. Harold Peters
Dr. John Gibson
Dr. Roger Tory Peterson
Dr. Leslie Harris
Tony Power
Stephen Herder
Dr. Don Steele
Charlie Horwood
Clyde Tuck
Bernard Jackson
Laura Jackson
Dr. Henry Mann
Dr. Lois Bateman
Dr. Jon Lien

For more information or to make a nomination for the Tuck/Walters Award, contact:

Dr. Bill Montevecchi, Chair
Tuck/Walters Awards Committee
Cognitive and Behavioral Ecology Program
Memorial University of Newfoundland
St. John’s, NL
A1B 3X9
Telephone: 737-7673
E-mail: mont@morgan.ucs.mun.ca