The Waterbird Society aims to promote basic and applied research on waterbirds and their habitats, foster science-based waterbird conservation, and enhance communication and education among professionals, policymakers, and citizens.
The Kushlan Research Award aims to foster significant scientific progress in the study of wading birds, specifically focusing on their biology, ecology, or conservation biology. The grant encourages research on species relationships within the Ciconiiformes group and seeks to improve understanding of the status, range, and population sizes of lesser-known species within this category. Proposals are evaluated based on the potential for publishing impactful contributions to scientific literature, without regard to the financial or educational status of applicants. Awards, ranging from $1,000 to $7,000, are granted based on the scientific merit of proposals, with the intention to support awards annually.