Residents honored for aiding bald eagles

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service handed out awards to three Lawrence residents and four other Kansans who played a major role in reviving the bald eagle population in Kansas.

Five of the seven people were recognized at a ceremony Wednesday at Perry Reservoir.

The Lawrence residents recognized:

  • Jesse Brinker, who is a volunteer climber.
  • Marty Birrell, who is a climbing assistant.
  • Mike Watkins, who works for the Army Corps of Engineers but spent off-duty time banding and monitoring eaglets.

Others recognized were Dennis Dinwiddie, of Topeka; Betty Waller, of Tecumseh; and Joel and Cheri Brinker, of Manhattan. Joel and Cheri Brinker were recognized at a separate ceremony.