Mark Johnston
It is an honor to present the 2026 Founders Award to a pillar of our community and a true champion of the Leavenworth Spring Bird Fest, Mark Johnston.
For over a decade, Mark has been a constant presence on the Leavenworth Spring Bird Fest Planning Committee. He has attended countless meetings, serving as a vital bridge between North Central Washington Audubon Society and the Wenatchee River Institute to ensure our field trips, workshops, and keynote speakers are of the highest caliber. He is also just a joy to work with – you can’t help but smile when you see Mark coming in or hear his voice on the phone. Mark has never wavered in his mission: he is a tireless advocate for keeping conservation and rigorous science at the heart of everything we do.
But Mark’s contribution isn't just visionary—it’s practical. Years ago, he recognized a need for better coordination and enlisted his wife, Dorothy, to create an Excel spreadsheet to organize the committee’s expanding workload. Today, that spreadsheet remains the backbone of our planning, growing right alongside the festival itself.
Mark’s dedication truly shines in the field. While he constantly advocates for new trips to showcase the beauty of our region, he also puts in the miles himself. For years, he has led trips every single day of the festival, recently adding the demanding, all-day Coulee trip on Sundays to his Bird Fest schedule.
As a leader, Mark is invaluable. He possesses a rare talent for "birding by ear," but perhaps his greatest skill is his ability to welcome and engage those who are just starting their journey. Many of us can trace our own passion for birding—and our ability to identify a song in the woods—directly back to a morning spent on the trail with him.
There are few volunteers who work as tirelessly or as consistently as Mark Johnston. We are incredibly fortunate to have him, and it is our privilege to recognize his years of service with this award. Please join us in congratulating Mark Johnston!
