As part of Birds Australia's commitment to ornithological research and conservation, it manages the annual Stuart Leslie Bird Research Award.

The Award was established in 1997 by Mr Stuart Leslie, AM, who was one of Birds Australia's long-time major donors and a keen bird watcher. Aware of the crucial importance of ongoing ornithological research and the financial challenges facing Australian students, Mr Leslie generously committed to giving $15,000 per year to support post-graduate field work and travel to scientific conferences. In late 2004, he was awarded a Fellowship of Birds Australia.

"Originally, I was going to give $15,000 to the Winston Churchill Trust," said Mr Leslie, "but that would have meant only one student receiving a $15,000 Fellowship. By setting up the Award and having it managed by Birds Australia, a larger number of students can be assisted. It's worked very well."

Since establishment, the Award has provided $240,000 and has assisted more than 100 projects, including studies on threatened species such as the Powerful Owl, Regent Honeyeater and Hooded Plover.

Each year, the number of applications received by Birds Australia has increased steadily, evidence of the vital need for grant schemes such as the Award.

Mr Leslie chose to fund bird research because they are good indicators of the overall health of the environment. He encouraged other individuals and corporations to consider donating to research organisations.

"Wildlife research is vital to our future," said Mr Leslie. "Many species are declining and sometimes we don't know why. Many Australians are in the position, individually or through their position in business, to make a real difference to the future of our wildlife. It is a relatively easy and a very satisfying thing to do."

The award will continue in 2007 thanks to a generous bequest from Mr Leslie, who passed away in 2005.