C. Stuart Houston and Mary I. Houston
Stuart and Mary Houston - Saskatchewan's dynamic duo of ornithology-are long time collaborators in natural history and conservation activities. Their work in publishing, bird banding, and conservation is legendary. In addition to being the mother of three medical professors and a mathematician, and the grandmother of nine, Mary Houston is the author or co-author of eighty-one papers about ornithology and bird banding. In collaboration with her husband Stuart, she has banded almost 130,000 birds of over 200 species. The more than 3100 bands of 75 species that have been recovered are a Canadian record and the second highest number for a private bander in North America. The couple has banded more Swainson's Hawks, Ferruginous Hawks, Great Horned Owls, and Bohemian Waxwings than anyone in Canada.
An indispensable tool in providing information about birds, banding is often instrumental in their protection. The Houstons are also active in protecting individual birds through relocation efforts.
A Professor Emeritus of Medical Imaging and Radiology at the University of Saskatchewan, Stuart Houston has received an honorary doctorate, the Order of Canada and the Saskatchewan Order of Merit for his medical achievements.
His other career in ornithology and natural history has resulted in the publication of 7 books, 36 book chapters, 261 original papers, 131 book reviews, 42 abstracts, and 100 editorials and letters. Stuart has also authored historical accounts of the early fur trade and of explorers of the Canadian Arctic and the Canadian West.
Stuart was elected as a Member of the American Ornithologists Union (AOU) in 1959, a Fellow in 1989, and Vice-President 1990-91. He was a member of the Saskatchewan Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (1989-1992).
In 1988 the couple received the Douglas H. Pimlott Award, Nature Canada's most prestigious award - recognizing outstanding contributors to Canadian conservation. Recognition has also come from the Canadian Wildlife Federation, Canadian Society of Ornithologists and Manitoba Naturalists' Society.
Over 100 people from all over North America have trained in banding with the Houstons and developed, or furthered, a love for birds and a sense of responsibility as stewards of this planet. Many are now scientists or conservation advocates. The Houston's also played a significant role in the extension and maintenance of the Canadian Prairie Bluebird Trail from southeast Saskatchewan to the North Batlleford area.
The Houston family played an important role in a successful fight to prevent the damming of the Churchill River system in northern Saskatchewan, which would have ruined the summer habitat of millions of birds.
Together, the Houstons have created an endowment at the University for the Stuart and Mary Houston Professorship in Ornithology. The endowment supports research and teaching in this field.
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