A Balmoral resident is garnering national attention for encouraging others to give a hoot about owls and biodiversity.
It’s a feather in his cap for Jim Duncan, who recently earned a lifetime achievement award from the Ottawa-based Canadian Museum of Nature. This honour comes as part of the 2023 Nature Inspiration Awards, which were presented at a gala event in Ottawa on Nov. 16.
Duncan was recognized for dedicating more than three decades to scientific research and public outreach about biodiversity, with his main focus on owls.
Kasia Majewski, head of marketing and external relations for the Canadian Museum of Nature, said a jury selects the recipient of the lifetime achievement award, while the other award categories have a nomination process.
“Looking at Jim, the jury felt that he showed an incredible commitment to nature and sharing his enthusiasm for nature with the public throughout his entire life,” she said.
“He’s contributed decades of action and outreach about owls. The jury also found that he’s a scientist who is able to go beyond his job to engage with the public while also contributing to scientific research. So he’s really got a lifetime of going above and beyond.”
The Nature Inspiration Awards focus on three main elements: a commitment to nature, leadership and the ability to inspire others.
“We thought that Jim embodied all of those,” Majewski said. “I think his ability to inspire people of all ages about owls is an incredible part of Jim’s life and his story.”
Over the years, Duncan has reached nearly 30,000 kids and adults through his presentations, books and outreach efforts.
While he was in Ottawa to accept the award, Duncan even took time to give a presentation at a local school.
“The kids really loved it,” Majewski added. “We were really happy that we were able to help him spread his message a little bit further here in our community as well.”
At the same time, Duncan expressed gratitude for the recognition.
“It feels great to have our long-term research, education and conservation efforts on owls and other wildlife appreciated in this manner,” he said.
“I am thankful for the hard work by staff and volunteers with the Canadian Museum of Nature who created the Nature Inspiration Awards program.”
For Duncan, his passion for educating others about conservation began when he read a book by John Livingston called The Fallacy of Wildlife Conservation while he was a university student in the 1980s.
“In it, he stated that while scientific research is important, it alone lacks the conservation punch needed these days,” Duncan said. “It is equally important to make conservation a part of everyone’s lives.”
Delving deeper, his interest in owls sparked while he was a graduate research student studying falcons at McGill University in 1984.
“I joined a volunteer retired principal to conduct evening owl hoots for the public in a local arboretum. It was then I discovered how little was known about owls — a golden opportunity for a young research scientist to make a contribution,” he said.
“Then I moved to Manitoba to study the great gray owl for my PhD and met and later married Patsy, also a biologist — and we have been studying owls together ever since.”
The couple’s research on owls has spanned nearly four decades. Together, they’ve made numerous discoveries about owl biology, including some that have helped to conserve them. In addition, they continue to gain knowledge through the research of other experts.
In 1987 and 1997, they organized and held the first international owl conferences in Winnipeg.
“This launched a series of owl conferences around the world in Canberra, Australia; Groningen, Netherlands; Evora, Portugal; Pune, India; and La Crosse, Wisconsin. These meetings are opportunities for students and researchers to exchange information and form new collaborative research partnerships,” Duncan said.
“But equally important is bringing owl information to the public in an entertaining and engaging way through live owl presentations. I have conducted hundreds of such interactive talks at colony, elementary and high schools, colleges and universities and other locations such as birding festivals, corporate meetings and at personal care homes.”
Seeking to share his knowledge with even more people, Duncan launched a social enterprise called Discover Owls to conduct public education and offer community science programs, such as the volunteer nocturnal owl survey that Duncan and his wife started in 1991.
“The owl survey collects valuable information to monitor owl populations — but, more importantly, it creates opportunities for people to have a personal experience with owls and nature,” he said.
“If 50 people read one of my research papers published in scientific journals, that is success — but think of the impact of having created an opportunity for over 900 people to participate in our Manitoba owl surveys. Some of these folks may, in turn, lobby governments to keep and protect green spaces for wildlife.”
In addition, the duo will be co-ordinating the upcoming 61st Balmoral Christmas Bird Count on Sunday, Dec. 17. Volunteers follow specified routes or watch birdfeeders at their home within a 24-kilometre diameter circle centred on the town of Balmoral, counting every bird they see or hear. To learn more about the count, visit https://www.birdscanada.org/bird-science/christmas-bird-count or email Jim at owlfamily@mts.net.
Duncan notes that wildlife and the natural world face many challenges, but there is room for hope and ways to help.
“Avoid the use of rodent poisons, which in turn kill owls when they eat poisoned mice and rats. Plant some native plant species in your yard or garden. Support organizations like Nature Conservancy Canada, Ducks Unlimited Canada and Manitoba Habitat Conservancy that conserve habitats used by owls and other wild plants and animals,” he said.
“Volunteer to help with community science and environmental projects like the nocturnal owl survey or your local Christmas Bird Count. Let your government representatives know how important protected areas such as parks and wild spaces are to you. Spending time outdoors in nature is good for our mental and physical health. The wildlife in our backyards, neighbourhoods and country is the greatest show on earth.”
Recipients of the Nature Inspiration Awards will receive $5,000 to use towards a nature-related program of their choice or to reinvest in their own project or initiative.
“We will use the funds to assist with owl-related research and conservation projects here in Manitoba,” Duncan said, “and possibly help similar projects in other parts of Canada and around the world.”
Looking ahead in 2024, Duncan will offer presentations at schools and other venues, including some that the public can register for. All funds raised through his presentations go towards owl research and conservation in Manitoba and internationally.
Coming up on Sunday, March 3 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., he’ll be giving a presentation called “Up Close and Personal With Manitoba Owls” at the McNally Robinson Community Classroom. Registration is open through the McNally Robinson Booksellers website.
To learn more about Discover Owls, including opportunities to help monitor owls, visit discoverowls.ca.
To watch a video from the Nature Inspiration Awards about Jim Duncan and his work, visit https://nature.ca/en/nature-inspiration-awards/finalists/james-duncan/.
Tribune Photos Submitted
