ABA/Leica Young Birder of the Year winners

The future of birding and the conservation of birds and their habitats depend on the cultivation of the next generation of birders. I don't say that lightly; you'll find it in the mission statement that appears on the table of contents in each issue of the magazine.

The American Birding Association and Leica Sport Optics cultivate the next generation by coordinating the ABA/Leica Young Birder of the Year contest. The competition incorporates four modules (field notebook, writing, photography and illustration) for two age categories (10-13 and 14-18) and provides prizes to an overall Young Birder of the Year for each age group and first-, second- and third-place winners in each module.

Luke Seitz won first place in his age category's field notebook module.

This year, the 10- to 13-year-old Overall Young Birder of the Year award went to Luke Seitz of Falmouth, Maine, and the 14- to 18-year-old Overall Young Birder of the Year honor went to Adam Nisbett of St. James, Mo. They'll receive some great prizes (including a one-year subscription to WildBird!).

Adam Nisbett won first place in his age category's field illustration module.

The complete list of winners appears here.