Packard Awardees

1982

Syed Ahmed, India
1982, Third World Congress on National Parks, Bali, Indonesia
Driver, Ranthambhor Tiger Reserve, is recognized for his bold and valorous act of shielding and rescuing Fateh Singh Rathore during a vicious assault with sticks by illegal grazers in the Tiger Reserve in September 1981. Ahmed shielded Mr. Singh with his own body and was beaten with sticks, for which injuries he was later hospitalized. Without Mr. Ahmed's intervention, the Field Director's serious injuries could well have been fatal.

Kepala Seksis, Indonesia (received by Yus Rostandi, Senior Kepala Seksi)
1982, Third World Congress on National Parks, Bali, Indonesia
The Kepala Seksis (Section Heads/Park Superintendent or Chief Warden) of Indonesia are recognized for the important work which they have carried out in designing and planning Indonesia's system of protected areas, and in the hope that the World National Parks Congress will help to encourage the field personnel of Indonesia's Directorate of Nature Conservation to implement, on the ground, the system which is now so impressive on the map.

Sir Charles G. Connell, UK
1982, Third World Congress on National Parks, Bali, Indonesia
Sir Charles Connell is recognized for his effective communication of national parks ideals and objectives to the public. A retired, distinguished Scottish lawyer, since the Second World War, Sir Charles has devoted his spare time and energy to nature conservation in Scotland. In his 84th year, he still plays an active part in the business of the Scottish Wildlife Trust which he founded in 1966.

Insa Diatta and Yanya Danfa, Senegal
1982, Third World Congress on National Parks, Bali, Indonesia
Demonstrating exceptional bravery in the face of heavy automatic gunfire, Insa Diatta and Yanya Danfa captured a team of poachers in Niokolo Koba National Park. In bringing the case to court and prosecuting it successfully, they provided an outstanding example of how appropriate procedures can be used to promote the protection of Senegal's natural resources.

Myles J. Dunphy, Australia
1982, Third World Congress on National Parks, Bali, Indonesia
Myles Dunphy is recognized for championing the cause of national parks in Australia for most of his life. From 1916 until a few years ago, Mr. Dunphy waged an active campaign for a statewide system of national parks containing wilderness areas, and completed wilderness parks. His voluntary efforts inspired others and gave impetus for the establishment of a comprehensive system of national parks in New South Wales, Australia.

Jose Rafael Garcia, Venezuela
1982, Third World Congress on National Parks, Bali, Indonesia
Jose Garcia is recognized for his innovative management of parks. The present Director of the National Parks Directorate of Venezuela, Garcia was appointed the first Director Superintendent in a national park in Venezuela in 1952. He has always been a strong advocate and defender of parks and protected areas. His leadership has resulted in the establishment of 26 national parks and 13 natural monuments as well as a number of management policies of significance.

Sylvanus Gorio, Papua New Guinea
1982, Third World Congress on National Parks, Bali, Indonesia
Sylvanus Gorio is recognized for his innovative management of parks. He joined the Papua New Guinea National Parks Board in 1968 as a park ranger and became the first local Director of the Board in 1975. He has developed a system of national parks and reserves which has placed PNG in the lead of this activity in the Oceanic Realm.

Jean Paul Harroy, Belgium
1982, Third World Congress on National Parks, Bali, Indonesia
Jean Paul Harroy for many years directed IUCN's National Parks Commission and inspired countries to develop protected natural areas. He built up the world list of national parks, and made it a significant goal which inspired nations to designate areas which would qualify for the list. He remains a dedicated leader in the field of national parks and his influence will be long recognized.

Miravaldo de Jesus Siguara, Brazil
1982, Third World Congress on National Parks, Bali, Indonesia
Miravaldo Siguara is recognized for his conscientious application to duty in the face of adverse circumstances. Siguara entered the Bahia Forest Service in 1955. Through innovative initiative, undaunting courage and drive, with very little support and staff, he succeeded in effectively establishing the Monte Pascoal National Park of Brazil against pressures from loggers and hunters.

Joseph Kioko, Kenya
1982, Third World Congress on National Parks, Bali, Indonesia
As warden of Amboseli Game Reserve, Joseph Kioko showed outstanding ability and dedication in working with local people to ensure that the reserve was developed into a national park in harmony with the surrounding region, yielding meaningful benefits to the community, the nation and the world.

Peter Logwe, Uganda (and the Kidepo Valley National Park Ranger Force)
1982, Third World Congress on National Parks, Bali, Indonesia
Sgt. Maj. Logwe is recognized for the team's long record of distinguished service in confronting well armed aggressive poachers who enter the park locally and also from neighbouring countries. Often outnumbered by better armed poachers, this force has continually faced fire from automatic rifles, mortars, rocket launchers and machine guns as a result of which eight rangers have been killed in action over the past decade. Peter Logwe, a ranger since 1969 and leader of the force since 1976, has consistently exposed himself to danger from ambush and exchange of fire.

Fergus Lothian, Canada
1982, Third World Congress on National Parks, Bali, Indonesia
Fergus Lothian is recognized for his administrative service in the establishment and management of national parks and other protected areas, and for his undaunting efforts to preserve the national parks story of Canada for posterity. Mr. Lothian began work with the Department of the Interior in Canada in 1916, transferring to the national parks branch in 1924. He now has 58 years of service and has written a four volume history of Parks Canada. At the age of 82, he continues to work on volume five.

George Ruhle, USA
1982, Third World Congress on National Parks, Bali, Indonesia,
Doc" Ruhle is recognized for his many services in communicating national parks ideals and objectives to the public, and his inspiration to younger national park officers. Dr. Ruhle has had 49 years of service with the US National Park Service and served as the first naturalist in a number of parks, including Glacier National Park. He has served the international conservation effort in Thailand, South Korea, China and India.

Fateh Singh Rathore, India
1982, Third World Congress on National Parks, Bali, Indonesia
Fateh Singh Rathore, the Field Director of Ranthambhor Tiger Reserve is recognized for his conscientious application to duty under adverse circumstances. With outstanding work he achieved effective anti poaching, control of grazing, fire protection and development of wildfowl habitats. Mr. Rathore was instrumental in bringing about the amicable relocation of a number of villages from the heart of the Tiger Reserve by providing adequate and suitable alternatives to the affected villages. His perseverance and tactful efforts over almost a decade have finally eliminated domestic and commercial grazing from the core area of the Ranthambhor Tiger Reserve.

Soedjarwo and his Staff, Indonesia
1982, Third World Congress on National Parks, Bali, Indonesia
Soedjarwo is the Indonesian Director General of Forestry, responsible for providing the leadership which has guided one of the most impressive nature conservation efforts anywhere in the tropics. Beginning with a tiny staff and few protected areas, Soedjarwo has built the Directorate of Nature Conservation into a large, well funded agency with some 11.4 million ha of the world's richest and most diverse natural habitats.

Robert I. Standish, USA
1982, Third World Congress on National Parks, Bali, Indonesia
Bob Standish was the founding editor of PARKS Magazine, the professional journal which units all those interested in national parks. He built up the magazine from an idea into a reality, tirelessly collecting material from around the world, building up the distribution list, and ensuring that the publication was always of high quality. His retirement from the Editorship of PARKS in 1982 marks the passing of an era.

James Peter Stanton, Australia
1982, Third World Congress on National Parks, Bali, Indonesia
Jim Stanton is recognized for his innovative application of resource surveys to the planning of the Queensland park system. With his rare capacity for detailed field work and dedication to the cause of national parks, he carried out the majority of assessments in the wide range of dissimilar Queensland's national parks and protected areas, and proposals to protect representative samples of all major Queensland habitats.

1984

Robert Brown, Australia
1984, IUCN General Assembly, Madrid, Spain
Dr. Brown is recognized for his courageous personal leadership in defence of the Western Tasmania Wilderness National Parks World Heritage Site. He spearheaded the campaign to save the Franklin and Lower Gordon Rivers within the Western Tasmania Wilderness National Park from inundation by a hydroelectric project. His actions are in the highest tradition of individual leadership and the central roles played by non governmental organizations in defence of the parks of the world.

Gabriel Charles, St. Lucia
1984, IUCN General Assembly, Madrid, Spain
Mr. Charles, Director of the Forestry Division on the Caribbean Island of St. Lucia since 1975, is recognized for his innovative development and management of protected areas. Mr. Charles established the first forest reserve on St. Lucia to protect the endangered St. Lucia parrot and its rainforest habitat. Mr. Charles' creative leadership in integrating protected areas with development has extended to other islands of the region considering similar programmes.

Passe Manner, Senegal
1984, IUCN General Assembly, Madrid, Spain
Mr. Manner, a Senegalese National Park Guard, is recognized for his valorous act in pursuit of ivory poachers in Niokolo Koba National Park. In April 1984, a group of armed men were identified in the park, where over the past decade poaching has brought the elephant population from 300 to 87. Mr. Manner joined a group patrolling the area, spotted several poachers and gave chase. Despite being aware of the danger, Mr. Manner courageously pursued the men, and as a result, was shot and killed. Mr. Manner gave his life in demonstrating his commitment to protect wildlife and parks against great odds.

Robert Milne, USA
1984, IUCN General Assembly, Madrid, Spain
Mr. Milne, Director of International Affairs of the US National Park Service since 1975, is recognized for over two decades of global leadership in support of park development and training. He has developed NPS bilateral cooperative programmes with many countries, including China, Saudi Arabia, India, and Sri Lanka. Mr. Milne's patient, steady and modest leadership has been of great influence in building a network of park professionals throughout the world.

1985

Sudabar Ali, India
1985
Several years ago Prime Minister Indira Ghandi said, "the survival of man is dependent on the survival of animal and plant life". In today's world this requires individuals dedicated to their work in sanctuaries such as Corbett National Park. Sudabar Ali is such an individual. In February 1984 he was badly mauled by a tiger. In recognition of his devotion to duty in spite of these dangers, he is at this time recognized for supporting Prime Minister Indira Ghandi's objectives for conserving nature.

Shri Qutub, India
1985
Working in Corbett National Park, Shri Qutub in the line of his duties demonstrated in February 1984 that not only must nature be protected but so must man. With the help of his elephant, he placed himself between a tiger who had attacked his colleague Sudabar Ali and placing his life at risk, saved that of his colleague.

1987

Mamadou Sadio, Senegal
1987, CNPPA meeting, Niamey, Niger
Mr. Sadio has distinguished himself by his courageous actions in carrying out anti poaching missions, particularly in 1986. His demonstrated leadership has helped to ensure a secure future for the animals of Niokolo Koba National Park.

Ahmed Tcholli, Niger
1987, CNPPA meeting, Niamey, Niger
Mr. Tcholli has made a prolonged and dedicated effort, working with local people and the government of Niger to ensure the protection of the flora and fauna of the Air and Ténéré Regions of Niger. The creation of these nature reserves marks a significant and symbolic achievement for conservation.

Robert Tei, Ivory Coast
1987, CNPPA meeting, Niamey, Niger
In January 1981, Warden Tei, while on patrol encountered poachers in the Tai National Park. Armed with only a machete, he was attacked by the poachers and shot in the abdomen. The poachers disbursed and the balance of the patrol assisted Robert Tei to the hospital, where after surgery, he recuperated.

1988

Ray Dasmann, USA
1988, IUCN General Assembly, San Jose, Costa Rica
By enrolling Dr. Dasmann as an Honorary member of CNPPA, we would particularly like to recognize his early work on the classification of biogeographic provinces and his pioneering descriptive work with respect to biosphere people and ecosystem people. Dr. Dasmann is also a member of IUCN's Commission on Environmental Planning and Commission on Ecology. As a former Senior Ecologist to IUCN and now Professor of Environmental Studies, Dr. Dasmann continues to contribute in a major way to making the world a better place in which to live for everyone.

Ricardo Luti, Argentina
1988, IUCN General Assembly, San Jose, Costa Rica
Ricardo Luti, conservationist, educator and catalyst, has stimulated the young and motivated many to work for the conservation of nature. He was the founder of the Cordoba Committee for Nature Conservation. He has assisted in the establishment of many reserves, including the World Heritage Site Iguazu Falls. He is recognized by his colleagues for his continuing enthusiasm and dedication over more than three decades.

Kenton Miller, USA
1988, IUCN General Assembly, San Jose, Costa Rica
This award acknowledges Kenton Miller's commitment to conservation, his dedication to IUCN and his enthusiastic support for protected areas and species. He has met these challenges in the field, in the classroom and in the boardroom. As Chairman of CNPPA and Director General of IUCN, he has carried the conservation message around the world.

Josip Movcan, Yugoslavia
1988, IUCN General Assembly in San Jose, Costa Rica
Josip Movcan whose eye for natural beauty has created a harmony of man in nature in Plitvice National Park. His dedication to conservation is demonstrated by his 28 years of careful management of Plitvice.

Francisco Ponce, El Salvador
1988, IUCN General Assembly, San Jose, Costa Rica
Warden Ponce gave his life for conservation. Unarmed he was shot and killed on April 17, 1987, while protecting the birds of Laguna El Jocatal Biological Reserve. Senor Ponce gave more than 10 years of his life to the protection of wildlife. This sad event has strengthened the commitment of his colleagues to its conservation.

1990

Biocenosis AC and Lic. Manzanilla Shafer
1990, IUCN General Assembly, Perth, Australia

Gerardo Budowski, Venezuela
1990, IUCN General Assembly, Perth, Australia
Gerardo Budowski has served conservation as a research officer, professor and administrator. His work has been published throughout the world. He has served National Parks and Protected Areas with distinction. At the 18th General Assembly of IUCN held in Perth, Australia, he was elected an Honorary Member of CNPPA.

Samuel A. Cooke, Hawaii
1990, IUCN General Assembly, Perth, Australia
In recognition of outstanding service in furthering the conservation objectives of protected areas to society. Samuel Cooke, Director of the Nature Conservancy of Hawaii has, over a period of ten years, demonstrated distinguished leadership. He was instrumental in the success of the "Endangered Hawaiian Forest Bird Project" and the "Islands for Life Campaign.

Harold Eidsvik, Canada
1990, IUCN General Assembly, Perth, Australia
Harold began his service with IUCN in 1968, He served in several positions: Executive Officer, Deputy Chair, IUCN Councillor for North America, and from 1984 to 1990 as Chair of the then CNPPA. During the period, he organised and edited the 1980 UN List of National Parks and Protected Areas and, for the first time added biogeographic notations to each area. He restructured the Commission to have Vice Chairs for each of Udvardy's Realms'. At the request of the 1984 IUCN General Assembly, he undertook the revision of the Categories paper reducing the number of categories from ten to five while incorporating Wilderness.

During this period, he continued full time employment with Parks Canada that allowed him to commit half of his time to working with the Commission. As Chief of Planning and later as Senior Policy Adviser, he developed the format for Management Plans and Systems Plan for Parks Canada.

Harold is recognised for his commitment and dedication to the effective management and protection of National Parks and Protected Areas around the world.

John Foster, UK
1990, IUCN General Assembly, Perth, Australia
In recognition of 40 years of distinguished service in landscape conservation and recreation planning and management, first as Director of the Peak National Park in England and subsequently as the first Director of the Countryside Commission for Scotland. John Foster has played an active part in CNPPA's work at the international level from 1974 onwards, notably as Vice Chair for the Western Palaearctic Region between 1981 and 1988. He was also instrumental in reviving the European Federation of Nature and National Parks. He has made a particularly strong contribution to the development of interpretation techniques as tools of conservation education.

Citoyen Mankoto ma Mbaelele, Zaire
1990, IUCN General Assembly, Perth, Australia

Duncan Poore, UK
1990, IUCN General Assembly, Perth, Australia
Since the creation of CNPPA in 1960, Dr. Poore has been at the centre of regional and global conservation issues. He has served with distinction as a forester, an ecologist, a professor and an administrator. His commitment has ensured the protection of many natural areas throughout the world. In recognition of his dedication he was elected an Honorary Member of CNPPA at the 18th General Assembly of IUCN which was held in Perth, Australia, November 1990.

Ponsiano Ssemwezi, Uganda
1990, IUCN General Assembly, Perth, Australia
In recognition of outstanding service in furthering the conservation objectives of protected areas to society. Mr. Ponsiano Ssemwezi retired as Director of Ugandan National Parks in 1989. His distinguished career spanned a turbulent time in the history of Uganda. A brutal military regime led to the destruction of wildlife and park facilities. Mr. Ssemwezi persevered in his tireless and perilous task of convincing the military regime that the parks and their wildlife must be saved. In spite of great hardship and personal risk, he succeeded. As a "Life Warden" he continues to serve the parks he loves. The international conservation community is grateful for his continuing dedication.

Jiri Svoboda, Czechoslovakia
1990, IUCN General Assembly, Perth, Australia
Director (Emeritus) Krkonose National Park, in recognition of outstanding service in furthering the conservation objectives of protected areas to society. From 1974 to 1984 Jiri Svoboda provided leadership in the management of Krkonose National Park. He extended park management beyond the park's boundary and initiated a programme of international cooperation which culminated in the International Conference entitled "Parks, People and Pollution.

1992

Abdulaziz H. Abuzinada, Saudi Arabia
1992, IV World Congress on National Parks and Protected Areas, Caracas, Venezuela
Dr. Abdulaziz H. Abuzinada is commended for his approach to protected areas in Saudi Arabia. In his own words, "Conserving nature is a moral obligation on every living person. It also makes sound pragmatic sense. By conserving and developing our renewable resources, using the best possible approach, we will also preserve man's habitats and ability to survive and prosper on earth". By combining conservation with the social needs of traditional peoples, Dr. Abuzinada is pioneering new efforts in the Arabian peninsula.

Carlos Castaño Uribe, Colombia
1992, IV World Congress on National Parks and Protected Areas, Caracas, Venezuela
Mr Carlos Castaño, Director of National Parks of Colombia, has played an important role in the Cooperation Treaty of the Amazon ("Tratado de Cooperación del Amazonas"), to secure the establishment, the planning and the management of the network of national parks and protected areas of the Amazon Basin. Mr Castaño has dedicated years of service for the cause of national parks in his country in strengthening the cooperation between countries of the Region, including the bilateral cooperation with neighbouring parks.

Mario Gabaldón and the staff of INPARQUES, Venezuela
1992, IV World Congress on National Parks and Protected Areas, Caracas, Venezuela
who played an important role in securing the establishment, the planning and the management of the network of national parks and protected areas in Venezuela. Mr Gabaldón has dedicated years of service for the cause of national parks in his country and he has strengthened the cooperation between countries in the Region, including the bilateral cooperation in the planning of neighbouring parks.

Madeleine de Grandmaison, Martinique, France
1992, IV World Congress on National Parks and Protected Areas, Caracas, Venezuela
Madeleine de Grandmaison, Professor, Regional Councillor for Martinique and Premier Vice president of Regional Nature Park of Martinique, has worked for many years towards the protection and enhancement of the environment, notably in the realm of protected areas. She has played an essential role in the creation of educational structures, research and education on environmental matters.

Almirante Ibsen de Gusmao Camara, Brazil
1992, IV World Congress on National Parks and Protected Areas, Caracas, Venezuela
Thanks to this gentleman's efforts, Brazil started to create units for marine conservation and for the protection of areas in Amazonia. He is a leader of the Movement for the Conservation of the Environment in Brazil. He was President for six years of the NGO that is the oldest and most reputed organization in Brazil. At present, he is developing projects for the protection of Atlantic Forests and of marine mammals and he is on the board of various NGOs, as well as SSC and CNPPA of the IUCN, which ensures him the respect he merits from the entire community.

Jorge Ignacio Hernandez Camacho, Colombia
1992, IV World Congress on National Parks and Protected Areas, Caracas, Venezuela
Dr. Jorge Ignacio Hernandez Camacho, Scientific Director of UNIFEM INDERENA, is cited for distinguished service. For thirty years Dr. Hernandez has led conservation efforts in Colombia, involving universities as well as government organizations. His work on park systems planning and the application of biogeographical theory have led to the conservation of Colombia's exceptional biodiversity in an extensive system of protected areas.

Tom Van't Hof, Netherlands Antilles
1992, IV World Congress on National Parks and Protected Areas, Caracas, Venezuela
Under his skilled and enthusiastic guidance, the marine parks of the Netherlands Antilles became actual managed parks, becoming a model for many other marine and coastal parks in the Caribbean area, and the world. Tom included in the management of marine parks new concepts like economic relevance, self support through creative funding, public participation and aggressive public relations to sell sustainability. The Parks of Bonaire, Curaco, and Saba are based on sound scientific data and research backed up with the dedication and commitment of Tom van't Hof.

Aila Keto, Australia
1992, IV World Congress on National Parks and Protected Areas, Caracas, Venezuela
Dr. Keto has been a leader in the conservation of the Wet Tropics of Queensland, as a respected scientist, as a high profile public figure, and as a spokesperson for conservation. Her research and publications are of global importance in the conservation of biodiversity and the sustainable utilization of biological systems. She is to be particularly commended for her selfless dedication to nature conservation using sound social and ecological principles.

Vladimar Krinitsky
1992, IV World Congress on National Parks and Protected Areas, Caracas, Venezuela
In his early years Dr. Krinitsky carried out field work in several Nature Reserves. His many successes led him to the position of Director of the State Nature Reserves, Forestry and Wildlife Directorate. From this position he became deeply involved in international conservation with IUCN, CNPPA, IWRB and MAB. He left his mark on a greatly expanded network of conservation areas in what was then the USSR. He was forward looking and outward looking during a difficult period for conservation in the USSR.

Hugh Lamprey, UK
1992, IV World Congress on National Parks and Protected Areas, Caracas, Venezuela
Dr. Hugh Lamprey, scientist, educator and conservationist was the first Principal of the African College of Wildlife Management at Mweka in Tanzania. He was also the founder of the Serengeti Research Institute, the Coordinator of the Integrated Arid Lands Project in Kenya. And the stimulus behind numerous protected area initiatives in eastern Africa. His consideration for others, his energy and dedication will continue to be reflected through those he has trained as well as in the projects he has established.

Joseph Mburugu, Kenya
1992, IV World Congress on National Parks and Protected Areas, Caracas, Venezuela
Mr. Joseph Mburugu is recognized for distinguished service. He has remained as the only continuous link in the administration of Kenya's National Parks over a period of 30 years. Mr. Mburugu's integrity is such that he has been trusted by both government and the general public in Kenya since the early 1960s. His dedication has led him to a new role as Deputy Director of Wildlife, a position in which he continues to serve both the people and the protected areas of Kenya.

Carlos Mendez Montenegro and Alex Rudolfo Mendez Del Cid
1992, IV World Congress on National Parks and Protected Areas, Caracas, Venezuela
Don Carlos Mendez Montenegro and his son Alex Rudolfo Mendez Del Cid are recognized for their valour; both were wounded in an ambush on 29 April 1991. They had completed a field trip to the Sierra de la Minas Biosphere Reserve, which had been established largely through the efforts of Don Carlos. On their return they were ambushed by a gang hired by a local land owner, injuring both the father, who was responsible for the Guards, and the son who was on the Reserve staff. They have both returned to their duties and Don Carlos continues helping the community conserve their resources.

P. Srinivas, India
1992, IV World Congress on National Parks and Protected Areas, Caracas, Venezuela
Mr. P. Srinivas was a man with a mission. He detested violence yet lost his life in an ambush by one of India's most notorious poachers. He dedicated his life to conservation and used his many skills to educate villagers and wean them away from supporting poachers and poaching as a way of life. His growing success rate likely led to his death in an attempt at conciliation he was cruelly ambushed and killed. His dedication and tenacity remain a goal for his many followers.

Vladislav Vassiliev, USSR
1992, IV World Congress on National Parks and Protected Areas, Caracas, Venezuela
For twenty years Dr. Vassiliev has been deeply involved in research and management in the Krasnovodsk Nature Reserve. This is the largest reserve in Turkmenia and one of the most important ornithological areas in the Caspian Sea region. Dr. Vassiliev has combined his research with formal and public education programmes. In addition he has been involved in the charging and punishment of over 500 poachers, sometimes at high personal risk.

1993

Lars-Erik Esping, Sweden
1993, CNPPA Working Session, Nykõping, Sweden
Lars-Erik Esping has been at the centre of Swedish nature conservation for forty years. From 1963 until his recent retirement, he was head of the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency's Department for Nature and Natural Resources. As an active member of CNPPA, his crowning achievement has been the Baltic Sea region Seminar and CNPPA Working Session for Europe, held here in Nykõping. A cleaner Baltic - and more and better protected areas in Europe - will be a fitting reward for Lars-Erik's distinguished contribution to nature conservation in Europe.

Arne Kaasik, Estonia
1993, CNPPA Working Session, Nykõping, Sweden
Trained as a forester in Estonia. Arne Kaasik became the conservation officer of the Lahemaa National Park in 1972. Since 1988, he has been its able and courageous Director during a difficult period. He has used his membership of CNPPA to promote international cooperation. In 1990, his park was the first in the former Soviet Union to join the Federation of Nature and National Parks of Europe. In 1991, he was instrumental in creating the Baltic Association of National Parks.

Tasuku Ono, Japan
1993, CNPPA Working Session, Beijing, China
In recognition of outstanding service in furthering the conservation objectives of protected areas to society Tsuku Ono - a longstanding member of CNPPA - has given 40 years of distinguished service to nature conservation in Japan and in East Asia. Now Chairman of the Marine Park Centre of Japan, he has devoted the past 10 years to working for the conservation in non-government organizations. Before this, he served with distinction for 30 years as a government officer in the National Parks Department and the Nature Conservation Bureau of the Environment Agency. His advice to ministers continues to be given through membership of the Nature Conservation Bureau and the Central Council for Forest management. Mr Uno has worked very effectively with volunteers through initiating the green Census and inspired nature interpretation and conservation activities with schools, community groups and the general public.

1994

Ian Craven, UK
1994, CNPPA meeting prior to IUCN General Assembly, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Ian Craven's tragic death in a plane crash in Irian Jaya, Indonesia on 11 August 1993 robbed the conservation movement and WWF of one of its brightest and best young field workers. Only 31 years old when he died, Ian Craven had gained an outstanding reputation for his success in involving local communities and gaining their support in the demarcation and management of the Arfak Mountains Nature Reserve and Wasur National Park. His quiet, conciliatory approach and outstanding personal skills and his caring approach to people and to conservation helped secure two of the most important protected areas in Irian Jaya.

P.H. C. Bing Lucas, New Zealand
1994, IUCN General Assembly, Buenos Aires
The Commission gives the Fred M. Packard award for distinguished Service to Bing Lucas in recognition of his outstanding contribution to national parks and protected areas. Bing Lucas became a member of CNPPA in 1971. He was Deputy Chair from 1983 to 1988 and Senior Adviser from 1988 until 1990, when he was elected Chair. Under his leadership, the Commission planned and implemented the highly successful Fourth World Parks Congress held in Caracas in 1992. Particularly noteworthy have been his contributions to: the development of the World Heritage Convention; parks and reserves systems in Nepal, the South Pacific and China; and the concept of protected landscapes. At home, Bing Lucas was the leading architect of the recent development of New Zealand's park system, one of the world's best. His distinguished career there culminated in his appointment as Director General of the Department of Lands and Survey. During this time, he was IUCN Regional Councillor for Australia and Oceania. Retiring from government service in 1986, he has remained involved in conservation in New Zealand, for example as National President of the Youth Hostels Association. Bing Lucas's warm personality and good humour have earned him many friends. The qualities of integrity, sensitivity and judgement shine through his long list of achievements.

Troels M. Pedersen, Argentina
1994, CNPPA meeting prior to IUCN General Assembly, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Doctor Pedersen has managed his large estates in Corrientes Province, Argentina, with strict conservation measures for nigh on sixty years, permitting the native vegetation to return. The major habitats include palm groves, galery forest, marshes, grasslands and Chaco wood. The fauna is rich and equally varied; some endangered species are represented. On his retirement, he has donated the 15,000 hectares to National Parks, the first such gift in the Province.

Robbie Robinson, Republic of South Africa
1994, CNPPA Working Session, Kruger National Park, South Africa
Presently Chief Executive of the National Parks Board of South Africa, has been a pacesetter throughout his career. Coming from a scientific background, with a doctorate in marine biology, he has led the organization into new fields and to new endeavours. Among many innovations was his development of the now famous Otter Trail, a pioneering concept 25 years ago. As he moved up through the ranks he continued to make major contributions in many fields of research and management. In the transition to a democratic society, Dr. Robinson has played a crucial role in developing appropriate policies to ensure that the National Parks of South Africa are relevant to the lives of all its people, and specially to those previously excluded and alienated from those areas

Luis Honorio Rolon, Argentina
1994, CNPPA meeting, IUCN General Assembly, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Dr Rolon always loved the rain forests of Misiones Province, Argentina. Between 1987 and 1989, as Under-secretary for Ecology in the Province, he created a system of provincial parks, thirteen in total between public and private lands (now twenty-three) in this the most threatened habitat in Argentina. The areas now covered exceeds 100,000 hectares. The most important - Urugay - complements Iguazu National Park, thus greatly enhancing its value and effect. His effort has put Misiones Province in the vanguard of provincial conservation.

Robert Ferdinand Schloeth, Switzerland
1994, CNPPA Steering Committee, Gland, Switzerland
Robert Schoeth gave a long and distinguished service from 1964 to 1990 as the first full-time Director of the Swiss National Park. In this capacity, he showed deep respect for the natural values of the park and was very successful in conveying to visitors his sensitive perception of nature through his management of the park, his books, articles, lectures, talks and excursions. He is an inspiring example of dedication to the national park for which he held major responsibility.

I. Made Sutaadi, Indonesia
1994, CNPPA meeting prior to IUCN General Assembly, Buenos Aires, Argentina
A very effective, innovative and committed Area Supervisor for Bali Barat National Park, Bali, Indonesia who has contributed to conservation of protected areas in a great variety of ways including working in cooperation with villagers, using traditional techniques, enhancing patrolling, acting firmly and effectively against armed poachers on land and sea, fighting forest fires and carrying our effective reforestation.

Edgar Wayburn, USA
1994, CNPPA meeting prior to IUCN General Assembly, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Ed Wayburn has a long and distinguished record of environmental accomplishments which are the product of his lifetime commitment to protected areas and wilderness values and his tireless energy. His voluntary work through his fifty years of service with the Sierra Club variously as its President and now Honorary President included the initiation and leadership of campaigns, which saw over 42 million hectares of public land in the United States given protected area status, specifically in California with the Redwood National Park, Golden Gate/Point Reyes region and vast areas in Alaska. His efforts, strongly supported by his wife, Peggy, have led to his being described as the present day incarnation of John Muir.

1995

Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Bin Moammar, Saudi Arabia
1995, CNPPA Working Session Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
H.E. Dr. Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Bin Moammarm, Minister of Agriculture and Water, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is well known for his work in directing large scale and effective initiatives to protect land from degradation, preparing legislation and overseeing its translation into realised actions. The results of his influence can be seen in the production of millions of trees and shrubs, their planting in threatened areas and measures taken to monitor their ecological impact. In addition, he has been closely involved in protection in perpetuity of existing vegetation and wildlife through the establishment of a system of National Parks. As a member of the Board of Directors of the NCWCD, he has given vital support to wildlife conservation at all levels.

1996

Peter Hitchcock, Australia
1996, CNPPA Working Session, Bogor, Indonesia
Peter Hitchcock has made an outstanding contribution to nature conservation in Australia. From 1970 to 1991, he held a number of senior positions in the New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service. He was instrumental in reserving over 2 million ha. of land as National Park and was closely involved in the listing of World Heritage Sites. During 1987/88, Peter was a Commissioner on the Inquiry into the Lemonthyne and Southern Forests (Tasmania). His minority report identified World Heritage values and was largely accepted by the Commonwealth Government. In 1991, he became the first Executive Director of the West Tropics Management Authority, responsible for a particularly complex World Heritage Area. His leadership has built a dynamic organisation and a high level of community support.

Abeedulah Jan, Pakistan
1996, CNPPA meeting World Conservation Congress, Montreal, Canada
Mr. Abeedulah Jan has made an outstanding contribution to the protected areas of Pakistan. In 35 years of public service, he has been the driving force behind the numerous management plans for important forest and other conservation areas. He played a key role in securing the well-being of the Khunjerab and Margalla Hills national parks. His advocacy skills have helped obtain substantial external funding for Pakistan's parks and reserves, and secure Ramsar listing and World Heritage status for important areas. Mr. Jan has been a much respected chair of national committees on mangrove forests, migratory birds and endangered species, and has promoted the making of films about Pakistan's wildlife.

Kotaro Kusakabe, Japan
1996, CNPPA Working Session, Kushiro, Japan
Mr. Kotaro Kusakabe has been a leader in conservation and protected areas in Japan over many years. He spent 34 years in government service, beginning as a national parks manager/ranger in Hokkaido Prefecture, where his legacy is a network of nature-rich parks. His governmental career culminated as Director of the Environment Agency's National Environmental Training Institute. In 1984, he moved to the non-governmental sector, heading up the Japan Environment Association. He is currently Director-General of the National Parks Association of Japan and a member of the National Council for Nature Conservation. Mr. Kusakabe has given leadership to CNPPA members in Japan and was the driving force behind the Second CNPPA conference, held in Kushiro, Japan, July 1996. No individual can have done more to promote the cause of protected areas in Japan in recent years than Mr. Kusakabe.

Perez Olindo, Kenya
1996, CNPPA meeting prior to World Conservation Congress, Montreal, Canada
Perez Olindo's life-time love for Africa's wildlife began as a child in Kenya. He won a scholarship to study in the United States in 1960, returning to a newly-independent Kenya in 1965. He soon became Director of its National Parks. During his ten years of leadership, numerous parks and reserves were established in mountain, lake, forest, savanna and marine environments, wildlife policy was updated to emphasise community participation and education, and a new generation of African parks managers were trained. More recently, he has held senior conservation posts in government and in such NGOs as the African Wildlife Foundation, Wildlife Clubs of Kenya and the East African Wildlife Society. For a number of years, he has been CNPPA's Vice Chair for East and Southern Africa, as well as IUCN Vice President and a key figure in the Species Survival Commission. Probably uniquely, he has participated in all four World Parks Congresses between 1962 and 1992. Throughout his long career, Perez Olindo has been a distinguished leader in Africa's post-colonial conservation movement who has won respect around the world.

H.S. Panwar, India
1996, CNPPA Working Session, Kushiro, Japan
H.S. Panwar has made an outstanding contribution to protected areas work in India over some 25 years. In Madhya Pradesh, he raised the profile of the Kanha National Park and pioneered the innovative management of the park. Subsequently, as Director of the India Government's Project Tiger, he established this as one of the world's leading conservation projects. From 1985 to 1994, Shri Panwar was the first Director of the Wildlife Institute of India; under his inspired leadership, this became a remarkable training ground for protected area professionals, wildlife biologists and administrators. He is now training staff of the Sri Lanka Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, and implementing GEF-assisted protected area projects in that country.

Effendy A. Sumardja, Indonesia
1996, CNPPA Working Session, Bogor, Indonesia
Dr. Effendy A. Sumardja is one of South East Asia's most outstanding leaders in conservation, environmental management and protected areas. Internationally, his influence has been considerable, notably at the 1982 3rd World Parks Congress in Bali, in the Convention on Biological Diversity, in ASEAN institutions, and through his valued leadership in CNPPA. Within Indonesia he has successfully applied international experience and scientific knowledge on protected areas management, in a career which has taken him from field officer to Assistant Minister. With his gentle, confident manner, Effendy's continued leadership is essential in a country and a region of great biodiversity importance.

1997

D.D. Boro, India
1997, WCPA Europe Regional Working Session, Rügen, Germany
Since 1987, Mr D.D. Boro has worked at Kaziranga National Park, a World Heritage site, as Range Forest Officer. With India's largest population of the Indian one-horned rhinos, Kaziranga is particularly exposed to organised poaching. Mr Boro has been involved in more than 100 encounters with well-armed poachers, in which death and injury have been common. Mr Boro also has worked with local villagers to get their support to combat poaching and has persuaded former poachers to assist him too. Due to his personal courage and leadership, there has recently been a marked decline in the number of poaching incidents. As a result, rhino populations have been stable for 10 years.

A.K. Brahma, India
1997, WCPA Europe Regional Working Session, Rügen, Germany
Since 1981, Shri A.K. Brahma has been Range Officer in Manas National Park, a World Heritage site. He has shown outstanding courage in defence of Manas during recent incursions by militants, which have led to the deaths of some park staff, poaching and the destruction of infrastructure. Following several years of courageous defence of wildlife in the park, he was attacked and seriously injured by poachers in March 1993. During his three weeks hospitalisation, 22 rhinos were killed. He returned to duty before full recovery, took charge of the park's defence one more, and - despite an offer to move elsewhere - has insisted on continuing to serve the cause of conservation in Manas. He is now working with student groups to build support for the park.

Jorge Cabrera Hidalgo, Guatemala
1997, Santa Marta Latin American Parks Congress
Jorge Cabrera Hidalgo ha hecho una contribución sobresaliente a las áreas protegidas no sólo en su país natal, Guatemala, pero también en Centro América. Fue coordinador de la Comisión Nacional de Medio Ambiente de Guatemala entre 1986-1990, período en el cual impulsó la declaración de la Ley Nacional de Mejoramiento del Medio Ambiente, y de la Ley de Areas Protegidas, que creó el Sistema Guatemalteco de Areas Protegidas. Bajo su cuidado se declaró la primera y más grande Reserva de la Biosfera de Guatemala, la Reserva de la Biosfera Maya. Entre 1991 y 1997 fue uno de los promotores, y posteriormente el Secretario, de la Comisión Centroamericana de Ambiente y Desarrollo. En el marco de esta comisión impulsó el desarrollo del convenio regionales de biodiversidad y áreas silvestres protegidas, y del convenio de bosques, y con ellos la creación del Consejo Centroamericano de Areas Protegidas y el Consejo Centroamericano de Bosques. Su trabajo y energía han facilitado el desarrollo de importantes proyectos para fortalecer el Sistema Centroamericano de Areas Protegidas así como el Corredor Biológico Centroamericano.

Ricardo Pascual Garcia, Spain
1997, WCPA Europe Regional Working Session, Rügen, Germany
For more than twenty years, Dr. Ricardo Pascual Garcia was the Director of the Parque Nacional de Ordesa y Monte Perdido in the Spanish Pyrenees. Under his direction, the park was designated a Biosphere Reserve in 1977, greatly extended in 1982, designated as a Specially Protected Area under the Birds Directive in 1987, and awarded the European Diploma (Category A) for outstanding management in 1988. Over the years, Dr. Ricardo Pascual successfully protected the park against various threats and built a strong basis of local support. In 1995, his achievements were crowned in the signing of a transboundary co-operative agreement with the neighbouring French Parc National des Pyrenées. Through his personal qualities and leadership, Dr. Ricardo Pascual has established the national and international reputation of Ordesa y Monte Perdido, and thereby set standards throughout Spain and beyond.

Silvino Gonzalez, Paraguay
1997 ,Santa Marta Latin American Parks Congress
Silvino Gonzalez es uno de los funcionarios de mayor antigüedad de la Dirección de Parques Nacionales y Vida Silvestre del Paraguay, trabajando por más de 17 años como administrador del Parque Nacional Defensores del Chaco. Ha demostrado un abnegado esfuerzo y valor en la protección de este Parque Nacional, caracterizado por la hostilidad de su semidesértico territorio. En 1994, y poniendo en riesgo su integridad personal, se enfrentó decididamente al poderío militar en su país, al denunciar acciones que atentaban contra la integridad del Parque Nacional bajo su cuidado. Durante sus largos años de servicio ha demostrado su compromiso por la conservación y su coraje, al enfrentar el poder de la institución en ese momento más poderosa del país. Su legendaria abnegación, habilidad e ingenio en un inhóspito ambiente le han valido el respeto de las comunidades locales y de técnicos y científicos nacionales y extranjeros

Hannu Ormio, Finland
1997, WCPA Europe Regional Working Session, Rügen, Germany
For nearly 24 years, Mr Hannu Ormio has played a central role in Finland's national parks and other protected areas. As one of the first Finnish conservation experts to be exposed to North American experience, he led the effort to put the management of his country's own parks on a professional footing. The co-author of the standard book in Finland on the topic, he has been a leader in raising standards in park and visitor management. Currently he is responsible for the management of eight national parks and almost 100 other protected areas in south Finland, including Nuuksio National Park, the showpiece on the edge of Helsinki. Throughout, Mr Ormio has shown a commitment to the cause of conservation far beyond the call of duty.

Kyran D. Thelen
1997, Santa Marta Latin American Parks Congress
Kyran D. Thelen ha dedicado más de 20 años de su vida a la conservación de los valores naturales y culturales de Latinoamérica, promoviendo a nivel regional y nacional el establecimiento de sistemas nacionales de áreas protegidas como contribución al desarrollo sostenible. Ha participado activamente en la capacitación de varias generaciones de especialistas en áreas protegidas. Como Oficial Forestal de la Oficina Regional de la FAO para América Latina y el Caribe, impulsó el establecimiento de la "Red Latinoamericana de Cooperación Técnica en Parques Nacionales, otras Areas Protegidas, Flora y Fauna Silvestres", que ha facilitado el fortalecimiento de las áreas protegidas y del personal vinculado a las mismas en la región. Tuvo una contribución destacada en el IV Congreso Mundial de Parques Nacionales y Areas Protegidas (Caracas, Venezuela, 1992). Su esfuerzo de muchos años ha contribuido a que la región Latinoamericana haya mantenido una posición de liderazgo en el movimiento mundial de áreas protegidas.

1998

The Hon. Robert Carr MP, Premier of New South Wales, NSW, Australia
1998, New South Wales, National Parks and Wildlife Service: "Visions symposium", Sydney, Australia
This award is presented to the Hon. Robert Carr MP, Premier of New South Wales, in recognition of his outstanding achievements in nature conservation and protected area management. It acknowledges his strong personal commitment over many years to the protection of wilderness, creation of national parks and nature reserves and most importantly fostering community understanding to the need to preserve our biodiversity for future generations to use, treasure and enjoy.

Graeme Kelleher, AM, Australia
1998, New South Wales, National Parks and Wildlife Service: "Visions symposium", Sydney, Australia
This award is presented to Graeme Kelleher, AM, in recognition of his outstanding achievements over many years as Chairman of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority /1979-1994) and as Marine Vice-Chairman of the World Commission on Protected Areas (1986-1998). He has played a leading role in developing and applying techniques for multiple-use management which are now widely used internationally in marine conservation. His tireless efforts to promote the establishment of a globally representative system of marine protected areas have made a vital contribution to protection and management of the world's seas. His deep personal commitment to conservation of marine biodiversity, wise and fair use of marine resources, and fostering community education, support and involvement in conservation has been an inspiration to others - in Australia and around the world.

1999

Woo Bo-Myeong, South Korea
1999, WCPA East Asia Regional Working Session, Seoul, South Korea
The Fred M. Packard International Award is presented to Professor Woo Bo-Myeong in recognition of his outstanding achievements in nature conservation in the Republic of Korea and across the region of East Asia. Within Korea, his is a distinguished professor in the Department of Forest Resources at the Seoul National University, and chairs the Korean Forestry Society. At the international level, Professor Woo has been a Co-Chair - since 1996 - of the Steering Committee of IUCN's World commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) in East Asia. He has been very influential in ensuring the great success of WCPA in the region. As Chair of the Organising Committee, and through his energies and enthusiasm, Professor Woo has been the principal architect behind the highly successful Regional Conference on Protected Areas, held in Seoul, Korea, in September 1999.

Datuk Lamri bin Ali
1999, WCPA East Asia Regional Working Session, Seoul, South Korea
For more than 25 years Datuk Lamri Ali, Director of Sabah Parks, has enthusiastically dedicated his energies to a range of conservation issues within the protected areas of Sabah in Malaysia. He was instrumental in preparing and implementing the conservation strategies which ensure the effective management of Sabah's six parks and he initiated the establishment of one of the world's first transboundary marine protected areas between the Governments of Malaysia and the Philippines. Datuk is especially honoured for his energy and commitment to turtle conservation and for his leadership of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Borneo Scientific Expeditions in 1989, 1992 and 1995. Datuk has contributed numerous scientific papers and is an active member of many organisations working to help protect Sabah's parks. We applaud him for his inspirational work in protected area establishment and management.

2000

Nancy Foster, USA
2000, WCPA Members' Meeting, IUCN World Conservation Congress, Amman, Jordan
Marine scientist and coastal stewardship pioneer, Dr Nancy Foster made enormous contributions to international marine habitat and species protection. For more than 25 years, she was a leader in conservation advocacy and management for the marine and coastal environment. Through her senior position in the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Nancy Foster promoted the idea of marine protected areas as key components of marine ecosystem management, and the application of the wilderness concept to marine ecosystems. She helped build consensus around the definition of marine protected areas, which became the foundation for a global, representative system of such areas. Her policy leadership on coral, mangrove and sea grass protection was essential in the International Coral Reef Initiative. She promoted leadership by capacity building across borders, increasing management opportunities for women and minorities, and applying information technology.

Nancy Foster applied her formidable energies and wide experience to WCPA during her all too brief period as Vice Chair Marine. She marshalled the resources of the NOAA to assist the Commission, strengthened the global network of marine protected area experts, and offered to WCPA the benefits of NOAA's experience in information technology.

Adrian Phillips, UK
2000, WCPA Members' Meeting, IUCN World Conservation Congress, Amman, Jordan
Adrian Phillips has had a long and distinguished career in protected areas and nature conservation. Adrian's unparalleled depth of experience e in these fields covers forty years, all continents, and staff positions with UNEP, IUCN, the United Kingdom Countryside Commission (as Director General) and the University of Cardiff (as Professor of Countryside and Environmental Planning). Adrian Phillips has a long association with WCPA. First as a member, then as WCPA Deputy Chair from 1988 to 1993 then as the WCPA Chair from 1993 to 2000. During his period as WCPA Chair, Adrian has developed WCPA into the world's leading network of protected area professionals and has mobilised membership at all levels towards clear and effective achievements. The results provide a model of what an IUCN volunteer network can achieve. Adrian Phillips has brought many unique attributed to his work as WCPA Chair. His clarity of thought, his ability to distil and synthesise complex issues and arguments and present them in a clear and understandable way, has been a feature of his work. This has been applied in forums ranging from site visits to protected areas, to various international fora. Adrian's ability and willingness to work incredibly hard and efficiently, often behind the scenes, for the benefit of conservation and protected areas, has also been an integral feature of his work. Last, but by no means least, his personal qualities, particularly in the way in which he deals with people from all walks of life, has been a feature. All who have met Adrian are touched by his warmth, sincerity and genuine interest. For his energy, commitment, warm personality and achievements, he is held in the greatest affection and respect by all within the IUCN and WCPA family.

Marija Zupancic-Vicar, Slovenia
2000, WCPA Members' Meeting prior to the IUCN World Conservation Congress, Amman, Jordan
Marija Zupancic-Vicar has had a long and distinguished career in former Yugoslavia and in her native Slovenia. She was Yugoslav Minister for the Environment and planning in the 1970s. As Director of the Triglav National Park in Slovenia in the 1980s, she was a tough defender of the park's integrity and worked closely with local communities: as a result, Triglav is now one of the best managed Alpine protected areas in Europe.

Marija Zupancic-Vicar was appointed WCPA vice chair for Europe in 1994. For six years she has led the "Parks for Life" programme in Europe. Her achievements include: the development of a Europe wide team of protected areas volunteer experts, the implementation of many protected area projects, and partnerships built with many other protected areas organisations. The results are a model of what an IUCN volunteer network can achieve.

Marija Zupancic-Vicar's devotion to WCPA has been outstanding. She has been a doughty fighter for conservation, but also the kindest and most thoughtful of colleagues. Her skill in motivating volunteers to work together is without equal. For her energies, commitment, warm personality and achievements, she is held in deep affection and great respect by WCPA members, in Europe and beyond. 

2001

Clive Marsh
2001, IUCN meeting "Asia Pacific Forum on Karst and World Heritage", Sarawak, Malaysia
Dr Clive W. Marsh made substantial contributions to conservation and was instrumental in the establishment of new protected areas in Kenya (Tana River Primate Reserve) and Borneo (Danum Valley and Maliau Basin). Working with Yayasan Sabah in Sabah he helped to foster conservation within working production forests and encouraged young Malaysian students to undertake research and training on conservation issues. Clive's final years were spent in Lao PDR working to promote the conservation of some of the least-known tropical forests in the world. Clive was Senior Conservation Advisor to the Lao PDR Government and in that position sought to strengthen protected area management throughout Laos' new protected area system. He organised a WCPA regional meeting at Pakse, Lao PDR, in 1999 for park managers and protected area professionals from Southeast Asia. The Pakse discussions and field trips to protected areas helped to foster collaboration that have led to several follow-up regional initiatives. Clive Marsh was a strong supporter of WCPA and helped to establish and strengthen key conservation areas in Africa and Southeast Asia. He will be remembered with affection and respect by friends and colleagues in the conservation community.

Robert G. Stanton
2001
Robert G. Stanton has dedicated a lifelong commitment of time and energy towards protected areas and heritage conservation. Starting his career in 1962 as a Seasonal Ranger in America's Grand Teton National Park, Bob Stanton rose through the United States National Park Service to become the agency's first African American Director in 1997. Bob has enjoyed a distinguished career highlighted by outstanding public service and leadership in conservation and youth education. He has been the recipient of numerous national awards and citations including the U.S. Department of the Interior's highest award - The Distinguished Service Award. In addition Bob sits on the Boards of a number of prominent conservation and heritage organisations. Since standing down as Park Service Director, Bob Stanton has eagerly accepted the role of Ambassador to the Vth World Congress on Protected Areas to be held in Durban, South Africa, 2003. Already in this role he has worked tirelessly to raise awareness and support for this, once in a decade, global event for protected areas. The World Commission on Protected Areas is honoured to have Bob Stanton's experience, exceptional reputation and his commitment to furthering the international agenda for protected areas.

2003

Jean Chretien, Canada
2003, Vth World Parks Congress, Durban, South Africa
This award is presented to the Rt. Hon. Jean Chrétien, Prime Minister of Canada, in recognition of his outstanding achievements over the past 35 years in extending and protecting Canada's world-renowned system of national parks. It acknowledges his creation of ten new national parks during his tenure as Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, his establishment of five new national parks while Prime Minister, and his pledge in Johannesburg at the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development to complete Canada's national parks system and establish five new national marine conservation areas. Under his leadership, the Canadian government has passed bold new legislation to create the Parks Canada Agency, to strengthen the protection of national parks and to provide for national marine conservation areas. This award further acknowledges his strong commitment over the years to the negotiation of Aboriginal land claim settlements and the cooperative management of new national parks. Motivated by his love for Canada and its environment, Mr. Chrétien has demonstrated true political leadership and created a natural legacy for Canada and the world.

Lawrence Hamilton, USA
2003, Vth World Parks Congress, Durban South Africa
Dr Lawrence S. Hamilton has given exceptional service to conservation of protected areas throughout the world, in particular to mountains and their environments. As IUCN WCPA Vice Chair Mountains, since 1991, he established a world wide network of WCPA mountain managers and friends of mountains. His leadership has inspired continental scale conservation corridors, transboundary peace parks, and best practice protected area management. His workshops captured the wisdom of mountain protected area managers from around the world which he shared through books, proceedings, "mountain" editions of journals, the quarterly WCPA Mountain Protected Areas "Update" magazine, which is distributed globally, and IUCN WCPA best practice publications. He helped establish greater awareness for the conservation of mountains, by recognition given to the Mountains Biome in Chapter 13 of Agenda 21. Larry is Emeritus Professor, and was Professor of Natural Resources Conservation, Cornell University; and was a Senior Fellow at the East-West Centre. He received two Fulbright Fellowships; and has authored or co-authored more than 300 publications including several books. Larry Hamilton is a true gentleman, kind, hospitable and passionately interested in the richness of humanity and a better planet. He is an outstanding achiever for IUCN WCPA and its membership.

J. Michael McCloskey, USA
2003, Vth World Parks Congress, Durban South Africa
J. Michael McCloskey has devoted his life to protected area recognition, designation and care. After 38 years of conservation leadership, he retired as Sierra Club Chairman in 1999. He had a major role in many conservation victories in the United States, including establishment of North Cascades and Redwood National Parks and passage of the Wilderness Act and the Alaska Lands Act. Under his leadership as Executive Director, the Sierra Club successfully advocated the preservation of over 150 million acres of new parks, wilderness and other protected areas. He has also had a significant influence on conservation internationally, writing the basic drafts for the UN's Charter for Nature, proposing wilderness as a Protected Area category, conceiving a program to identify endangered protected areas around the world, and creating the first worldwide inventories of de facto wilderness areas and the remaining wild rivers. Through published papers and talks he significantly refined the wilderness concept; of all his contributions to the environment, his wilderness work may be the most significant. As a global leader, inspiration and mentor to a whole generation of wilderness and parks advocates, Mike McCloskey has served with clarity of insight, wisdom, and dedication.

Carmen Miranda, Bolivia
2003, Vth World Parks Congress, Durban South Africa
For more than fifteen years, Carmen Miranda has been committed to conservation, research and management of protected areas in Bolivia. She has made a substantial contribution with her work as Director of the "Estación Biológica del Beni". Her work since 1992 has focused on the necessity to make conservation of biological diversity of this protected area compatible with the sustainable development of the local populations and, especially, the relationship with the indigenous communities located at the surroundings of the Biological Station. She has been also leading research projects to identify natural areas that must be included into the Bolivian Protected Areas' National System. She is currently working with a professional team in the design of the proposal for the Law of Protected Areas in Bolivia. She coordinates the Bolivian Committee of UICN. She is also an active member of the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas, contributing with her experience and knowledge to the work of the Union in the South American region.

Mavuso Msimang, South Africa
2003, Vth World Parks Congress, Durban South Africa
Mavuso Msimang's wisdom, experience and insight commands respect and admiration. His international experience spans the management of a range of projects that include rural water supplies, health, sanitation, agro-forestry, environmental education, refugee programmes as well as emergencies, both man-made and caused by natural disasters. Mavuso's vision has taken South African National Parks to new heights and his leadership strategies have added credibility to the organisation in the eyes of the various stakeholders. His belief in co-operation, partnerships and sharing of resources has contributed to the concept of national conservation initiatives and goals which will indeed ensure the long-term survival of protected areas. By embracing others, he has broadened the basic foundation of conservation in South Africa and beyond.

Marshall Murphree
2003, Vth World Parks Congress, Durban South Africa
Marshall Murphree is particularly known for his leadership in the development of community-based wildlife management initiatives in Zimbabwe and for his leadership in bringing the benefits of conservation to rural communities through the CAMPFIRE programme. His efforts have influenced similar innovations on behalf of local communities through wildlife conservation in Southern Africa and many other world regions. As Head of the Centre of Applied Social Sciences at the University of Harare, Zimbabwe he has been coaching a new generation of conservationists who combine solid scholarship with sincere social concerns. His intellectual brightness and his ability to communicate fresh perspectives on conservation issues brought him to Chair IUCN's Sustainable Use Specialist Group and to contribute to innumerable other conservation initiatives. The humanity which always infused his work, makes him at ease in all social environments and especially able to hear and convey the needs and wishes of the local communities who protect large parts of the Earth's natural resource wealth.

2004

Bruce Amos, USA
2004, IUCN 5th World Conservation Congress, Bangkok, Thailand
Bruce Amos has dedicated a lifelong commitment of time and energy towards protected areas and heritage conservation in his country, Canada, and worldwide. Starting in 1971 as Special Assistant to the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs in Ottawa, his work rapidly expanded to cover policy, planning, conservation and socio-economic issues in Parks Canada; he finished his career as Director General of this influential institution. He was instrumental in the establishment of many new national parks and marine conservation areas across Canada. He was a leader in applying many innovative approaches to planning and management of protected areas, including application of new governance models for protected areas management, particularly in relation to involving indigenous peoples in protected areas management. He has served since 1994 as North American Vice-Chair of WCPA, expanding his active work to protected areas issues in USA and Mexico. He has also served as Chair of the Canada/MAB Working Group on Biosphere Reserves and was particularly influential through his role on the UNESCO International Advisory Committee on Biosphere Reserves. His active involvement in WCPA work has been fundamental in maintaining the leading global role of WCPA on protected areas issues.

Imogen Zethoven and Virginia Chadwick, Australia
2004, IUCN 5th World Conservation Congress, Bangkok, Thailand
This award recognises Imogen Zethoven and Virginia Chadwick for their role in one of the world's major conservation victories- the decision by the Australian Government in 2004 to increase the no take zone within the Great Barrier Reef (the Reef) from just over 4% to over 33%. This represents an area of over ten million hectares, making it one of the world's largest networks of highly protected areas. Imogen Zethoven, Great Barrier Reef campaigner for the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF), worked tirelessly for many years to demonstrate the impact of government and industry actions on the ecology of the reef. She commissioned research to show that the overwhelming majority of Australians supported the proposed new zoning for the Reef. At the same time she persuaded relevant Governments to drastically limit terrestrial discharge to the Reef with the historic Reef Water Quality Protection Plan. Virginia Chadwick is the Chairman and CEO of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. In this role she showed dynamic leadership which has been instrumental in the decision on the zoning for the Reef. She has overseen the development of the multiple use zoning plan which is global model for marine management. She has done this, with her staff, in a way that has ensured that the knowledge, values and views of all key stakeholders were taken fully into account.

Jaime Incer, Nicaragua
2004, IUCN 5th World Conservation Congress, Bangkok Thailand
For more than 30 years, Dr. Jaime Incer has been committed to nature conservation and protected areas management in Nicaragua. He is recognized as the founder of the conservation movement in Nicaragua and his work was fundamental in establishment the country's first national park. Over the years he has combined his teaching and research activities with practical work on protected areas management including the preparation of management plans. He has also actively contributed to the National System Planning for Protected Areas in Nicaragua as well as the preparation of the National Strategy for Sustainable Development. Many of these actions on protected areas were consolidated between 1990-1994 when he was the Minister of the Environment and Natural Resources. He has been one of the key leading persons in promoting the Central American Alliance for Sustainable Development as well as the development of the Meso-American Biological Corridor. At present he is actively engage in the implementation of these important regional initiatives.

Allen Putney
2004, IUCN 5th World Conservation Congress, Bangkok Thailand
Allen's involvement on protected areas issues goes back to 1966 when he joined the US Peace Corps in Puyehue National Park, Chile. Since then he has devoted his time and energy to protected areas in Latin America and the Caribbean. Between the mid 70's and 1992, his work was fundamental in developing of the Caribbean Natural Resources Institute, CANARI, which built capacity for protected areas management in the Region. From 1986 to 1992 he served as the Caribbean Vice-Chair of the IUCN's Commission on National Parks and Protected Areas (CNPPA, today WCPA) and lead the process providing regional input to the IV World Parks Congress (Caracas, Venezuela, 1992). From 1992 to 1997 he was Director of Conservation Programmes in the IUCN-US office. Allen then worked with the IUCN Regional Office for South America, in organizing and implementing the First Latin American Congress on National Parks and Protected Areas (Santa Marta, Colombia, 1997). Since 1997 he has been leading the WCPA Task Force on Spiritual Values of Protected Areas which produced a number of valuable articles and landmark publications, helping to revitalize this important dimension of protected areas. He is now actively working with the IUCN-South American Office and many partners in the development of the Great Inca Trail initiative which is attracting tremendous international attention and support.

Vsevolod Stepanitskiy
2004, IUCN 5th World Conservation Congress, Bangkok Thailand
The last decade has witnessed many challenges in relation to conservation and protected areas in Russia. These have included frequent political, socio-economic and administrative changes and reorganisations. The leadership of Vsevolod Stepanitskiy has been vital in this period to enable the protected area network to adapt to and survive the many challenges faced. His leadership as Head of the Department of Nature Reserve Management of the Ministry of the Russian Federation for Environmental Protection, has been marked by his dedication and by his commitment to establish new protected areas. As a result of the efforts of Dr Stepanitskiy and his team, the last 15 years have witnessed the doubling of Russian Zapovedniks and National Parks from 20 to 40 million hectares. His experience, professional competence and ability to enthuse and mobilise the efforts of others for the sake of conservation have played a major role in conservation achievements in Russia in recent time

Jim Thorsell
2004, IUCN 5th World Conservation Congress, Bangkok Thailand
Beginning as a park ranger in Banff National Park in 1962, Jim worked as a researcher, planner, trainer and project manager in Canada before working on international conservation work for more than 20 years. He joined IUCN Headquarters in 1984 as Executive Officer of IUCN's Commission on National Parks and Protected Areas (CNPPA, today WCPA). Since 1990 he has served as the Senior IUCN Advisor to UNESCO's World Heritage Committee. He has personally evaluated over 145 sites nominated for World Heritage listing. His field experience covers more than 600 protected areas in 90 countries. Jim has also been an active member of WCPA's Mountain Theme and has published extensively on various park management issues. Most of the prestige that IUCN now enjoys in relation to UNESCO's World Heritage Convention is the fruit of Jim's efforts and strength in setting and maintaining the highest standards of technical input to this Convention. Today we are all proud of what IUCN - mainly through Jim's efforts - has achieved for nature conservation. He has inspired much work on Protected Areas in many countries of the world and he continues to be very active in providing input to IUCN's work on World Heritage and Mountain Protected Areas.

2007

Carlos Ponce del Prado, Peru
2007, 2nd Latin America Protected Areas Congress
en reconocimiento al servicio sobresaliente en la promoción de los objetivos de conservación de las áreas protegidas para la sociedad. El Dr. Carlos Ponce trabajó por más de 40 años en áreas protegidas incluyendo como Director de la División de Parques Nacionales del Perú entre 1969 y 1973. Su incansable trabajo en áreas protegidas en Perú y en el mundo entero le hizo muy conocido y apreciado por profesionales de la comunidad internacional dedicada a la conservación de la naturaleza. En 1983 fue cofundador de la Fundación Peruana para la Conservación de la Naturaleza (ProNaturaleza), siendo su segundo Presidente. Fue también cofundador de Conservación Internacional (CI), para la que trabajó durante 19 años. Brindó su apoyo activo al trabajo de la Sociedad para la Conservación de la Vida Silvestre (WCS) y la Asociación Peruana para la Conservación de la Naturaleza (APECO). El Dr. Ponce fue miembro del Consejo Asesor Internacional del Programa MAB de la UNESCO y el fundador de este programa, el Dr. Michel Batisse, alabó en muchas ocasiones su destacado trabajo. En 1970 integró la Comisión Mundial de Áreas Protegidas de la UICN en la cual sirvió como Vicepresidente para Reservas de Biosfera entre 1998 y el 2001. Sus colegas en todo el mundo lo valoraron como un verdadero embajador del movimiento de conservación; en particular por su sabiduría, gentileza y compromiso por las áreas protegidas. El movimiento mundial de la conservación ha perdido uno de sus más activos y apreciados miembros pero su trabajo ejemplar sin dudas inspirará a todos los que trabajan por las áreas protegidas. El será siempre recordado tanto por su profesionalidad como por su calidad humana y leal amigo.

2008

Muslih Al-Juaid , Saudi Arabia
2008, IUCN World Conservation Congress, Barcelona, Spain
Muslih Al-Juaid has worked for over thirteen years in Saudi Arabia’s National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development as a Ranger in the Mahazat as-Sayd and Majami‘ al-Hadb Protected Areas and then Head Ranger in the Mahazat as-Sayd Protected Area.Muslih has demonstrated extreme bravery in the course of his work. In September 2007 he was shot and severely wounded by suspected poachers, while attempting to detain them. This incident nearly ended his life. However, he has now completely recovered and is back at work, setting an example of valor and responsibility to staff within the National Commission and beyond. Throughout his career Muslih has shown exemplary dedication in conserving desert ecosystems and in the reintroduction of the Arabian oryx, reem gazelle, houbara bustard, and ostrich. He is currently the Head Ranger of Mahazat as-Sayd, where his leadership and dedication have contributed greatly to the success of this protected area, which ranks as one of the two most successful protected areas in Saudi Arabia.

Henri Blaffart
2008, IUCN World Conservation Congress, Barcelona, Spain
A true conservation warrior left us a few months ago. Henri was swept away, crossing the flooded Tiendanite River, in the northern part of New Caledonia. Henri spent the last six years developing relationships with the Kanak tribes of the isolated north-east coast of Grande Terre in New Caledonia. He lived in hardship in the tribe of Tiendanite, and was recognized as one their members. Through his hard work, dedication and leadership, he has single-handedly engaged 20 tribes and clans of the area to create the first local nature conservation NGO in New Caledonia, l’Association Dayu Biik. Henri worked tirelessly to ensure close contact with the isolated tribes of the Mont Panié,Haut-Coulna,and had become the conservation leader of Province Nord. He was asked by world-renown researchers and scientists to accompany them during their research, surveys, guiding and sharing his amazing energy in climbing the highest and sacred Mont Panié Mountain. He ensured that trails were maintained botanic samples taken, and rare seeds collected. Anyone who travelled with Henri in the field or accompanied him in meetings with the tribes can attest to his amazing passion and respect for nature and conservation. This enthusiasm caught on locally and ensured a drastic reduction in bush fires in this part of New Caledonia. The coverage of his work on Mont Panié shown on French and RFO television was seen across the globe. Henri developed contacts and conservation initiatives beyond Mont Panié, including the conservation of coral reefs and lagoons of the costal tribes and the protection of key species in many parts of New Caledonia. His single-handed battle against the establishment of four hydro electric dams in the Mont Panié reserve showed much courage in the face of political authority and caused him personal grief and danger. However he persevered, and his vision of a ridge-to-reef national park is now endorsed and supported by all. With a socio-economic team across 22 coastal tribes and clans, he assessed the natural and social values of the area. This pioneer assessment is now published and led the way to the nomination of the coastal reef of Mont Panié as the first cluster of reefs that are now listed as a World Heritage site in province Nord. Henri was a field hero. He personified, through his leadership and example, what nature conservation specialists stand for. His legacy for conservation in New Caledonia will last long beyond his untimely death. The grieving for Henri’s tragic passing continues. He was dearly loved and appreciated throughout New Caledonia for his courage, respect and passion for his work.

Robert Cartagena, Bolivia
2008, IUCN World Conservation Congress, Barcelona, Spain
Founder and first President of the Takana People’s Indigenous Council (CIPTA). He has worked tirelessly for almost two decades to save one of the most important forest areas on the planet, in northern La Paz, Bolivia. In August 1990 Robert participated in the Takana delegation together with other Amazonian indigenous groups of Bolivia in the march for “Territory and Dignity”, a historical landmark for the lowland indigenous people of Bolivia and the country as a whole. These reforms ensured the Takana people were able to consolidate a territory of 350,000 hectares. In recognition of Robert’s leadership the lowland indigenous people of La Paz requested him to represent them as the Secretary for Natural Resources, and then President, of CIDOB, the national organization of indigenous people. He has progressively strengthened CIDOB’s work on sustainable natural resource management and conservation, particularly on participatory research on natural resource management. From 2003 Robert facilitated the Indigenous Territory and Biosphere Reserve Pilon Lajas as a model of protected area co management with an indigenous organization. This included the development of a management plan approved by the Assembly of Community Representatives (Asamblea de Corregidores) as a Life Plan for the indigenous communities affiliated to the T’simane Moseten Regional Council (CRTM). Since 2006 he has facilitated the involvement of indigenous communities with the National Protected Area System of Bolivia. Robert has worked for the inclusion of indigenous people’s interest in hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation projects and he has worked tirelessly to safeguard the interests of indigenous people and the environment in Bolivia. The leadership of Robert has been essential in deepening the participation and respect for indigenous people’s territorial rights within protected areas in Bolivia, demonstrating that this alliance can be of mutual benefit and that indigenous people are one of the most important social groups supporting and promoting conservation in Latin America.

Ernesto Enkerlin, Mexico
2008, IUCN World Conservation Congress, Barcelona, Spain
The slogan of the National Commission for Mexico’s Natural Protected Areas “Conservation with, by and for the people” accurately reflects Ernesto Enkerlin’s vision as head of this governmental agency since its creation in 2001. As an inspiring leader in environmental conservation, his vision has helped shape conservation policy in Mexico. He has made major contributions towards the preservation of the country’s rich biodiversity and the improvement of the lives of rural and indigenous communities that depend on those natural resources in Mexico. His work as head of the National Commission for Natural Protected Areas (CONANP) started in 2001. Under Ernesto’s administration, Mexico has experienced an important shift in conservation, recognizing that conservation is attained through direct actions on biodiversity and indirect actions which influence the behavior and decision making of people and society. Ernesto has substantially elevated the profile of conservation in the national political agenda, a strategic move which has resulted in multiple opportunities as well as new challenges and responsibilities for the conservation sector. His international achievements are many and include a sizeable increase in the number of listed wetlands under the Ramsar Convention and Biosphere Reserves under UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere Program. Ernesto has also involved and created opportunities for local communities and indigenous peoples. By 2007, 72% of CONANP’s budget for programs and projects was allocated either directly or indirectly to local communities living in and around protected areas. Ernesto has also participated actively in various NGOs dedicated to conservation. In particular, from 1997 onwards, he developed and positioned Pronatura Northeast as one of the most important conservation NGO’s in the country. He has received many conservation awards, including the prestigious Environment Award Sultan Qaboos from UNESCO in 2005 and the Peacemaker Award from the National Conflict Resolution Center. Ernesto has also made a major and valued contribution globally to protected areas through his active involvement with the World Protected Areas Leadership Forum which includes the CEO’s of the world’s major protected areas agencies.

Maria Tereza Jorde Padua, Brazil
2008, IUCN World Conservation Congress, Barcelona, Spain
Maria Tereza is a major part of the history of nature conservation in Brazil. In her fight for environmental preservation, she often placed her own life at risk. From 1968 to 1981, Maria Tereza was Director of the Brazilian Institute of Forest Development’s National Parks (IBDF). Over those 14 years, she created eight million hectares of national parks and biological reserves. The balance sheet of her passage though public administration revealed that half of the protected areas in Brazil were created with her leadership. Maria Tereza also participated in the creation of the Fundação Pró-natureza (Funatura), the second non-governmental organization to be concerned with nature conservation in Brazil. She presided over Funatura for nine years and there she helped create the first Private Natural Heritage Reserves (RPPN) in Brazil, which are natural areas with significant biodiversity created by private landowners. Another of her great achievements at Funatura was the creation of the first protected area in the Cerrado (Brazilian savannah). Maria Tereza also played a fundamental role in initiating many important and innovative projects for the conservation of Brazilian nature, such as the Tamar Project (for the protection of sea turtles) and the Research Center for the Conservation of Wild Birds (Cemave). She also participated on the board of important global conservation organizations including IUCN, the World Resources Institute (WRI) and WWF-International. At present, she is a member of the Fundação O Boticário de Proteção à Natureza’s Board of Directors and IUCN’s World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA).

Moses Mapesa,
2008, IUCN World Conservation Congress, Barcelona, Spain
Presently Executive Director of the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has been a leader throughout his career. He started his career in conservation as a researcher and then as a warden, rising through the ranks to become Executive Director of the Authority in 2003. In his current position Moses supervises all wildlife management programs and is responsible for management and operational plans for all protected areas in Uganda. Moses was among the key architects of the World Bank support project (phase II) for UWA which has been implemented since 2002. He also has been author of a number of other successful proposals with other donors and partners. Moses’s leadership has developed the Authority into one of the most professional protected areas agencies in Africa. His efforts to develop a transparent and well managed conservation authority have been exemplary, even during the harsh military conflicts that his country has gone through, he showed leadership and tenacity to foster conservation ethics. As Moses moved up through the ranks he continued to make major contributions in many fields of research and management. During the years of civil unrest in Uganda Moses played the leading role in negotiating a sound relationship between the Ugandan Defence Force and UWA thus avoiding conflicts between the rangers and poaching by the military forces occupying protected areas in Uganda. Throughout his career, Moses has built up an impressive list of contacts oversees, especially in Africa. He has had a long association with IUCN and in particular with WCPA. His personal leadership and hard work have been noticed by his country’s President and other organizations in Uganda, notably the Rotary Club of Uganda who honoured him with their Conservation Award. He has also been actively involved in conservation projects in many other African countries and is a founding member of the Leadership for Conservation in Africa (LCA) forum. Moses serves on the Board of Directors of the LCA which tries to ensure that business respects environmental management principles, shares skills, and develops effective partnerships with Conservation Agencies. This aims to avoid confrontation between business and conservation interests. Moses plays a major role in the conservation of protected areas in Africa and especially in East Africa serving on the Board of the East African Wildlife Society as well as other front line initiatives.

George N. Wallace,
2008, IUCN World Conservation Congress, Barcelona, Spain
A Professor in the Department of Human Dimensions of Natural Resources Colorado State University. He is also Director of the Center for Protected Area Management and Training (CPMAT) and long-standing WCPA member. George has devoted his career to capacity building for protected areas (PAs) through his teaching, research, writing, training, graduate students and by personal example. CPMAT has improved the capacity of hundreds if not thousands of protected area professionals in the Americas via training courses, technical assistance, materials development and university teaching over a 25 year period. Examples include a well known five week intensive field course taught in Spanish – for Latin American managers now in its 20th year, as well as two decades of in-country PA training courses and technical assistance. He has helped establish PA training centers in the US, Brazil, Mexico, developing new PA courses, degree programs and cooperative studies programs. He assisted with the development and delivery of capacity-building streams for World Parks Congresses in Caracas and Durban. He is one of the founders of the Consortium for International Protected Area Management involving the US Forest Service, the Universities of Idaho, Montana and Colorado State and other partners. His university teaching, research and outreach have produced many committed PA professionals, management innovations, and a heightened awareness about the importance of landscape level conservation via the full spectrum of protected areas. Leading by example, over 36 years he slowly restored a badly degraded farm which has won several awards for the mix of agriculture, wetlands, wildlife habitat and education it now provides.

2012

Ibrahim Bello, Niger
2012, IUCN World Conservation Congress, Jeju, Korea
In recognition of Ibrahim Bello for his  courage and dedication  to inspire the establishment of the largest protected area  in Niger, that also ranks as the largest in Africa at 10 million  hectares.

As Deputy Curator and later Curator, Ibrahim helped restore the reputation of “W” Park in Niger.  Under his watch, the staff gained a renewed sense of self-discipline, dedication to their work and devotion to the conservation of the area’s wildlife.   Disciplined and maintaining high standards, he impressed upon the authorities the need to apply the laws and regulations regarding wildlife management in Niger with notable success.

The harsh climate and hostile desert terrain of Niger has been no obstacle to Ibrahim’s dedication.  For more than five years, he travelled to the military outposts of ‘Nguigmi, Teske N’gourti and Zinder to raise awareness amongst personnel, and encourage them to take action to protect Sahel-Sahara wildlife. 

Thanks to Ibrahim’s  efforts, the wildlife have returned to Termit-tinoumna area and poaching has declined, leading to the establishment in 2012 of the Termit-tintoumna National Nature Reserve of Niger. 

Yury Darman, Russian Federation
2012, IUCN World Conservation Congress, Jeju, Korea
In recognition of Dr Yury Darman for his dedication and inspirational leadership, that has led to the inclusion of more than four million hectares in new protected areas, and has contributed to the conservation of several threatened species.

Yury has worked to develop the network of protected areas in the Amur Ecoregion of the Russian Far East. Spurred by his efforts, 61 new protected areas have been established, of which three national parks, two federal refuges, three provincial refuges and two zapovedniks (strict nature reserves) were accomplished with his personal participation.  Many of these arose as a result of the Amur Ecoregion Action Plan, which he initiated in 2002, and which he has helped coordinate since.

Yuri has shown consistent leadership through the Association of Russian Far East Nature Reserves, and has trained numerous rangers and educators, and has fostered relationships with China and Mongolia for transboundary cooperation. He helped to consolidate one of Russia’s Ramsar Wetlands for conservation of the Red-crowned Crane and Oriental Stork, established the Far Eastern Leopard Conservation Programme, and negotiated conservation initiatives  involving forest conservation concessions.

Dr Darman has remained steadfast in his leadership and dedication to protected areas and biodiversity conservation in the Russian Far East for more than 25 years.  His unwavering commitment and continues to inform conservation efforts in Russia and worldwide.

Julia Miranda Londoño
2012, IUCN World Conservation Congress, Jeju, Korea
In recognition of Julia Miranda Londoño as an outstanding conservation leader,  for her diligent efforts to strengthen the protected area system in Colombia despite the many challenges. 

Julia has worked steadily to build a comprehensive system of national protected areas in Colombia. She piloted the adoption of the first national policy and revised legal arrangements for protected areas. Through her position as IUCN WCPA’s Regional Vice Chair for South America, and as Chair of Red Parques, she has worked assiduously to promote cooperation for nature conservation and sustainable development in South America.

During her tenure, a new and more efficient structure for Colombia’s national parks system has been established. The recognition of the important economic role that protected areas play has  resulted in increased support with expanded staff and budgets.  She is a global ally in promoting  innovation and best practices, and has fully embraced management effectiveness assessment procedures to improve the quality of protected area management in Colombia. 

Julia’s concept of conservation is inclusive. She has sought positive outcomes for indigenous peoples and local communities, as well as other interest groups.  She is highly regarded by colleagues in the key forums in which she contributes, and her enthusiasm and skills have led her to make major contributions at national and international levels.  

Antonio Negrete
2012 IUCN World Conservation Congress, Jeju, Korea
In recognition of Antonio Negrete for his exceptional personal and organizational dedication to protected area conservation in the face of severe challenges and threats.

During his 16 years with Colombia’s National Natural Parks Agency, Antonio has worked against the odds for conservation during periods of intense armed conflict. During these times that have seen forced movement of communities and armed interventions relating to guerrilla activity, drug cartels and illegal mining,  Antonio has excelled in coordinating activities of a diverse set of stakeholders while working within the prevailing legal and institutional confines.

Antonio has lived under difficult conditions, including being confronted by the forced displacement of whole communities, equipment robberies and temporary suspension of activities.  He has helped develop work programmes for three indigenous communities whose territories overlap with land in Paramillo National Park.  He has achieved excellence in leading the administration of the Mangroves of the Old Delta of the River Sinu ecosystem and as the Head of the Mangroves of the Bay of Cispata-Golfo de Morrosquillo Project.

Antonio has advanced collaboration with rural workers in Paramillo National Park, facilitating community participation for restoring degraded areas and repopulating fisheries with native species, and developing specific methodologies to diagnose the state of occupation of areas of the park  under occupation.

2014

Grazia Borrini-Feyerabend, Switzerland
2014, IUCN World Parks Congress, Sydney, Australia
Having worked in conservation and related fields for most of the past thirty years, Grazia Borrini-Feyerabend soon assumed a leadership role in IUCN’s specialist networks involving social policy and protected areas. The nexus of these worlds and their concerns has generated some of the most important progress in conservation of the past 15 years. Her work has laid the foundation for a new appraisal of protected area governance, the analysis of governance failures that affect conservation and communities, and the assertion of protected area governance diversity and quality as a way to better understand and revitalise conservation in practice. Her persuasive determination has resulted in the uptake of these ideas into public policy, notably through the Convention on Biological Diversity. She was instrumental in founding and nurturing both TILCEPA (first IUCN inter-commission Theme) and The ICCA Consortium, dedicated to the understanding and acknowledgement of the territories and areas conserved by Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities. Perhaps her most important achievement has been the pursuit of authentic work together with people in the field, and her inspired mentorship of a growing community of young professionals and practitioners around the world.

Peter Cochrane, Australia
2014, IUCN World Parks Congress, Sydney, Australia
During his tenure as Director of National Parks in Australia, Peter Cochrane made extraordinary contributions to protected area conservation, in Australia and beyond. He oversaw the near doubling of the size of PAs in Australia’s National Reserve System; championed indigenous protected areas and built strong partnerships and novel cooperative management approaches with the traditional land owners. His personal leadership led to the establishment of the National Landscapes Partnership with Tourism Australia. Peter‘s international leadership include ensuring protected areas were always front and centre in the Convention on Biological Diversity negotiations. He was instrumental in the development and negotiation of the CBD’s Programme of Work on Protected Areas which is recognized as one of the most successful programmes on this important convention.

Alan Latourelle, Canada
2014, IUCN World Parks Congress, Sydney, Australia
During his tenure as CEO of Parks Canada Agency, Alan Latourelle has made extraordinary contributions to protected area conservation, both in Canada and around the world. These include growing the size of Canada’s protected areas by almost 60 % in the last 10 years and championing new co-operative management models that integrate Aboriginal Peoples’ interests into all aspects of park management. He is also spearheading a national drive to connect Canadians with nature, including the creation of Canada’s first urban national park. Internationally, under his leadership, Parks Canada made significant contributions to conservation efforts, bilaterally and globally. These efforts include the development of the North American Intergovernmental Committee for Wilderness and Protected Areas Conservation; providing leadership to the World Protected Areas Leadership Forum and supporting large scale ecosystem-based climate change adaptation projects in Mexico, Colombia, Chile and Kenya.

Harvey Locke, Canada
2014, IUCN World Parks Congress, Sydney, Australia
Harvey Locke is globally recognized as a leader in wilderness, national park, and large landscape conservation law, policy, communications, and education. His particular strength has been the integration of these fields, and in creating an inspiring vision from his native North America that has led to applied outcomes of global importance. He has given practical support to this by engaging directly in a number of lawsuits leading to major conservation victories in North America and providing important legal precedents in favour of nature conservation. His main achievement has been creating an inspiring vision for National Parks and Wilderness areas and the importance of maintaining their largely intact biological diversity in the face of global challenges such as climate change and fragmentation of ecosystems. His abiding influence has been his ability to communicate this vision, and to engage the public and decision-makers in support of large scale conservation programmes, including the Canadian Boreal Initiative and the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative, and inspiring global leadership in large landscape-scale nature conservation programmes.

Cláudio C. Maretti
2014, IUCN World Parks Congress, Sydney, Australia
Claudio Maretti (In recognition of outstanding service in furthering the conservation objectives of protected areas to society)
For over 20 years, Claudio Maretti has been actively involved in protected areas planning and management in Brazil and further afield. His work in the 1990s led to the development of a management plan for Archipelago de Bijagos Biosphere Reserve, and to support for important protected areas on the west coast of Africa. He also helped to establish a Brazilian branch of the World Commission on Protected Areas, and to connect WCPA experts in Brazil with the global network where he served on the WCPA Steering Committee.  Elected as a member of IUCN Council in 2004, he represented Meso and South America for two terms, and was actively involved in the Programme and Policy Committee of IUCN Council. For the last decade he has devoted his work especially to Amazonia as the leader of the WWF Living Amazon Initiative, where one of his main achievements has been to promote and implement approaches linking the management of protected areas with societal interests, especially those of local communities and Indigenous Peoples.

The Rangers of Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo
2014, IUCN World Parks Congress, Sydney, Australia
Rangers and others working at the field level in areas of conflict, often find themselves on the frontline of a conservation battle to protect our precious wildlife, ecosystems and natural heritage. Virunga National Park has the highest concentration of biodiversity on the entire African continent, extending from volcanoes to semi-arid savanna and is home to rare species such as the famous mountain gorillas. A World Heritage site, Africa’s oldest national park has faced numerous threats over the last two decades, including armed conflict, poaching and illegal charcoal production. In the last four years alone, 16 park rangers were killed in action and several others, including the warden, Emmanuel de Merode, have been injured in the line of duty . Despite these difficulties, Virunga has been able to maintain its values, thanks to emergency measures and extraordinary conservation efforts by the park’s management team. This award is made in recognition of the valour, dedication, commitment and passion for conservation that the warden and rangers of Virunga have shown to protect this beautiful and unique conservation area for present and future generations.

Widodo Sukohadi Ramono
2014, IUCN World Parks Congress, Sydney, Australia
Over several decades working for the Indonesian government, including as Director of National Parks and Director of Biodiversity Conservation, Widodo Ramono was closely involved in the establishment and management of several leading national parks in Indonesia, including Ujung Kulon National Park, the last home of the rare Javan rhino. An acknowledged rhino expert, Pak Widodo became director of Yayasan Badak Indonesia (YABI - Rhino Foundation Indonesia), an NGO that works closely with the National Parks Authority and supports specialist Rhino Protection Units, with patrols units jointly implemented by park rangers and YABI staff. Thanks to his work at YABI, and the efforts of the highly respected and efficient Rhino Protection Units, there has been no recent record of rhino poaching in Indonesia, and a significant increase in the Javan rhino population in Ujung Kulon National Park, a World Heritage site. Throughout his long and distinguished career in conservation in Indonesia, Pak Widodo has worked tirelessly to improve protected area management, halt wildlife crime and strengthen the protection and conservation of Javan and Sumatran rhinos, the two most threatened species of rhinos. With his consistant staff at the in-situ Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary at the Way Kambas National Park, the facility could successfuly breed Sumatran rhino one out of 124 years in its Asian habitat.

2016

Georgina Bustamente and Alessandra Vanzell-Khouri, Jamaica
2016, IUCN World Conservation Congress, Hawaii, USA
In recognition of Georgina Bustamante and Alessandra Vanzella-Khouri for their extraordinary dedication to advancing marine protected area management across the Caribbean for nearly 20 years. Georgina and Alessandra blazed the trail for regional MPA management networks. Their Caribbean Marine Protected Area Management Network – CaMPAM – developed under the framework of UNEP’s Caribbean Environment Programme and its Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife Protocol, is the first network of its kind worldwide.

Georgina and Alessandra have tirelessly continued to expand its services across the region. They have arranged courses for training of trainers, exchange visits,  the development of project grants,  and developed of the first regional MPA databases. Through CaMPAM’s programmes, Georgina and Alessandra have served as the primary catalysts for MPA knowledge exchange and guidance across the Caribbean. They have connected and helped thousands of MPA practitioners across the Caribbean region, empowering them to do their jobs more effectively.

Roger Crofts, United Kingdom
2016, IUCN World Conservation Congress, Hawaii, USA
In recognition of Professor Roger Crofts CBE, for his significant contributions to protected areas policy, governance, management and advocacy for over 40 years in Scotland, in the European region and around the world.  As the founding CEO of Scottish Natural Heritage, Roger promoted the successful implementation of Natura 2000 with new consultation and financial management arrangements for protected areas owners and occupiers. Placing protected areas in their landscape context through Natural Heritage Futures, he determined a strategy which continues 15 years later. 

In Europe, he led the volunteer network of the IUCN WCPA for eight years with drive and determination. Roger advised on the establishment of Vatnajökull in Iceland, Europe’s largest National Park, and the establishment of Denmark’s National Parks. He argued for removal of perverse incentives, encouraging the reform of the EU Common Agricultural Policy, and promoted the use of enhanced governance models in Bulgaria.

Globally, Roger led the formulation of the Durban Accord and Action Plan at the Vth IUCN World Parks Congress in 2003, laying the foundation for IUCN work on protected areas for a decade, persuaded colleagues to focus on the conservation of ‘nature’ in defining protected areas, and broadening the discussion to include a new focus on the conservation of geoheritage.

Jon Jarvis, USA
2016, IUCN World Conservation Congress, Hawaii, USA
In recognition of Jonathan Jarvis for his achievements in enhancing the lives of people by connecting them with parks and protected areas and the benefits they provide. As US National Park Service Director since 2009, Jon Jarvis has led a strong campaign to increase the relevance of parks and protected areas to a new and more diverse generation of citizens.

Convening a strategic programme to listen to the views of people throughout the US, Jon identified innovative approaches across themes and topics that affect the world as the NPS celebrates its Centennial and prepares for another century of work. Under his administration, the NPS has explored how protected areas can contribute to addressing climate change, the role of nature in human health and well-being, the needs of new citizens, and the recognition and expression of minorities. In particular, he has sought to find ways in which young people can connect with nature, to inspire lifelong learning and inspiration, and strengthen their identification with nature through national parks.

Bringing the US National Park Service back into the international arena, Jon has willingly embraced partnerships with protected area agencies across Canada, the US and Mexico to further cooperation and capacity development. As a leading figure in the World Protected Area Leadership Forum, he has shared his expertise and that of the US National Park Service with park directors around the world. By contributing seconded staff to key portfolios in association with IUCN’s Global Protected Areas Programme, he contributed directly to the preparations for the IUCN World Parks Congress 2014, and the Promise of Sydney priorities.

Nik Lopoukhine, Canada
2016, IUCN World Conservation Congress, Hawaii, USA
In recognition of Nikita (Nik) Lopoukhine, for his lifetime commitment to protecting the special places of our planet and for inspiring new generations of people to experience, embrace, and love nature at first hand. During his 23 career with Parks Canada, the final five as Director General of National Parks, Nik deeply influenced the advancement of new thinking that ensures ecological integrity in protected areas, in strengthening science for decision-making and in coming to grips with the emerging challenge of climate change.

Throughout his career, Nik has promoted and supported efforts to ensure that there is increased awareness and understanding of the value and role of protected areas in meeting global challenges, including through editorial articles in the international press and through publications.

As Chair of the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas, Nik transformed and strategically repositioned the WCPA by re-invigorating the network, rekindling the vision, and modernising governance. He championed the cause of protected areas in the IUCN programme, and through his conviction and courage, strengthened the recognition of the fundamental role of protected areas in conserving nature, and of inspiring a new generation of professionals and citizens who love and conserve nature.

Georgina Bustamente and Alessandra Vanzell-Khouri, Jamaica
2016, IUCN World Conservation Congress, Hawaii, USA
In recognition of Georgina Bustamante and Alessandra Vanzella-Khouri for their extraordinary dedication to advancing marine protected area management across the Caribbean for nearly 20 years. Georgina and Alessandra blazed the trail for regional MPA management networks. Their Caribbean Marine Protected Area Management Network – CaMPAM – developed under the framework of UNEP’s Caribbean Environment Programme and its Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife Protocol, is the first network of its kind worldwide.

Georgina and Alessandra have tirelessly continued to expand its services across the region. They have arranged courses for training of trainers, exchange visits,  the development of project grants,  and developed of the first regional MPA databases. Through CaMPAM’s programmes, Georgina and Alessandra have served as the primary catalysts for MPA knowledge exchange and guidance across the Caribbean. They have connected and helped thousands of MPA practitioners across the Caribbean region, empowering them to do their jobs more effectively.

Sonam Wangchuk, Bhutan
2016, IUCN World Conservation Congress, Hawaii, USA
In recognition of Sonam Wangchuk, for his distinguished career of 28 years, in developing and ensuring the sustainability of nature conservation in Bhutan. Sonam initially led biodiversity assessments that were the foundation of management plans for the national protected areas system and for biological corridors. Subsequently, as a park manager, he introduced sound ecosystem management and effective programmes to integrate conservation and development. These included cost-sharing with local communities, endowments for addressing human-wildlife conflict, rural scholarship schemes for disadvantaged children, and alternative energy applications. He also pioneered camera trapping of the Mountain/Bengal Tiger at high altitudes, leading to the first  national surveys for mountain tiger and snow leopards populations.

Many of these initiatives have been have been replicated and scaled up to the national level. Since 2010, as Chief of the Wildlife Conservation Division, he has provided strong leadership for wildlife conservation, ecosystem management, and addressing human wildlife conflict. As the technical team coordinator for the pioneering Bhutan Life project, he has facilitated the development of conservation and financial plans to secure the sustainability of for Bhutan’s protected areas.

Graeme Worboys, Australia
2016, IUCN World Conservation Congress, Hawaii, USA
In recognition of Dr Graeme Worboys, for outstanding dedication to the vision and mission of the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas. As Vice Chair for the Mountains and Connectivity Conservation Specialist Group of WCPA, Graeme has been an outstanding champion of the importance of connectivity for conservation across landscapes globally. With enormous drive and dedication, he has consistently built a body of knowledge and advice to promote connectivity conservation initiatives around the world, and in the process, has developed a suite of publications and a committed cadre of protected area professionals to carry out this work.

Notwithstanding these efforts, he has also aspired to building expertise for conservation management more generally, through his prodigious efforts to publish guidance for protected area management. Through his most recent project to develop freely available learning resources for this community, he motivated hundreds of professionals to contribute voluntarily towards the “state of the art” publication Protected Area Governance and Management, in 2015.   Through these efforts, Graeme is making a significant contribution towards the education and professionalization of protected area governance and management.

2019

Julio Alberto Carrera Lopez
En reconocimiento a Dr. Julio Carrera por su trabajo para promover el manejo efectivo de Áreas Naturales Protegidas del ecosistema del Gran Desierto Chihuahuense de México. 

Impulsó y promovió la publicación del primer Programa de Manejo de ANP de México, el Cañón de San Lorenzo, además de impulsar el decreto de uno de los complejos de ANP de México más grandes y mejor conservados que además fue la primer iniciativa de conservación transfronteriza entre EUA y México.

Don Julio, siempre estuvo comprometido con el desarrollo de capacidades, prueba de ello fue el impulso para el desarrollo del curso dirigido a gerentes de parques mexicanos que reunió a los gerentes y al personal de parques de EE. UU. Y México, y proporcionó una comprensión de los programas de conservación de Estados Unidos y México a numerosos estudiantes mexicanos.

Finalmente, Julio Carrera participo en el diseño y puesta en marcha de la Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas de México. Por todo ello, es considerado un pionero de la conservación. 

Sonia Bone Guajajara & APIB
En reconocimiento a Sonia Guajajara, quien expresa una historia virtuosa de alguien que salió de una situación de aislamiento en su aldea para estudiar cuando joven, adquiriendo conocimientos para colaborar en la lucha por la protección de su territorio y por los derechos de su pueblo, hasta ingresar en el movimiento indígena nacional y tornarse un gran liderazgo de todos los pueblos indígenas en Brasil. Logro establecer relaciones internacionales en defensa de la Amazonía, sus bosques, sus ecosistemas, su biodiversidad y sus poblaciones. Protagonizó con los pueblos indígenas la construcción de la Política Nacional de Gestión Territorial y Ambiental de las Tierras Indígenas (PNGATI) y extendió su preocupación por la protección de los demás biomas, incluso los impactos del cambio climático en niveles transescalares. Sonia fomenta el diálogo y la aproximación de las tierras indígenas con las áreas protegidas en el contexto del Sistema Nacional de Unidades de Conservación de la Naturaleza (SNUC), estimulando acciones integradas y cooperativas para la protección del patrimonio natural y cultural brasileño, produciendo beneficios más allá de las fronteras de las tierras indígenas y demás áreas protegidas, potenciando el desarrollo sostenible a nivel local, regional y nacional. 

Floyd Homer
In recognition of Floyd Homer, who has demonstrated his commitment to the conservation of both marine and terrestrial biodiversity for almost 30 years. 

His interest catapulted into action in the 1980’s because of the loss of native forests in Trinidad and Tobago due to extensive logging and wildfires, and the practice of using alien species for re-afforestation. He devoted significant energy and time over several years to changing that practice through pilot projects utilizing native timber species, and mobilizing local support and advocacy, leading to recognition by the Government of the need to use native species. Later, his work encompassed other protected areas across the Caribbean, where he pioneered the first Marine Protected Areas Managers Network (MPANET) in 1995. MPANET laid the foundation for the development of the UNEP/Caribbean MPA Management Network (CAMPAM) , where over two decades he led capacity building in fledgling protected areas through training of staff, policy development and the preparation of management plans for sites in seven countries. 

Many of his technical reports are used as key references by governments, researchers and consultants to this day, and he has inspired young professionals to take up the cause of biodiversity conservation and to lead local efforts in sustaining action, based on mutual respect, science and local knowledge. 

Carlos Alberto Pinto Dos Santos
En reconocimiento a Carlinhos dos Santos quien se ha dedicado a la causa de las poblaciones tradicionales, por herencia de la familia y de la comunidad donde nació y creció, por comprensión de la importancia de la libertad y de la calidad de vida de esas poblaciones y por el creciente esfuerzo en defensa de los ecosistemas de que dependen sus pescas y la recolección. 

Cada reserva extractivista es resultado de mucha lucha. Son típicamente áreas protegidas que nascen de la reacción a procesos de degradación de ecosistemas. Ellas representan el reconocimiento de territorios tradicionales y de actividades que mantuvieran las buenas condiciones de conservación, así como la necesidad de llevar condiciones de desarrollo y del refuerzo de los objetivos de conservación. 

Con la CONFREM, con Carlinhos y otros líderes, el apoyo mutuo entre las comunidades, la actuación como un bloque y el diálogo y demandas a los gobiernos se tornó mucho más presente y fuerte. Con ella, también si fortaleció la relación con el ICMBio. La contribución de Carlinhos y otros líderes resultó en la protección de aproximadamente un millón de hectáreas, beneficiando aproximadamente de 120 mil familias. Los éxitos no se quedan en la creación de las reservas extractivistas. Después, esos líderes siguen con la organización de las comunidades, la búsqueda de las condiciones del bienestar y la conciencia en la conservación de la naturaleza, para su propio bien y el de toda la sociedad.

2021

James (Jim) Barnes, United States of America
Vital Sites: The Journey to Marseille, 2021

In recognition of James (Jim) Barnes, for his lifelong dedication to the protection and preservation of Antarctica, the world’s last great wilderness.

As founder of the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition (ASOC), Jim was instrumental in a global campaign to prevent mining on the Antarctic continent. As a result of this campaign, plans to sign a mining treaty for the Antarctic were abandoned in 1989 and replaced with a comprehensive environmental protection treaty that includes a mining ban.

Throughout his career, Jim has held Antarctic governance bodies to account. Jim and ASOC, the only environmental NGO observer in the Antarctic Treaty System, were key drivers of an initiative to designate a network of marine protected areas in the Southern Ocean. Jim worked with scientists and campaigners to build a strong case for designating a marine protected area in the Ross Sea, leading to the designation of the world’s largest high seas marine protected area in 2016. Today Jim serves ASOC as Board Chair, reflecting his continued commitment to protecting the Antarctic, including expanding the network of large MPAs in the Southern Ocean. 

Silvana Campello, Brazil
Vital Sites: The Journey to Marseille, 2021

In recognition of Silvana Campello and her husband George, who have made a major contribution to conservation of the Cerrado-Amazon ecotone in the Cantão region of Brazil since 1996.

Together, they established Instituto Araguaia, which is renowned among conservationists in Brazil.  Prior to their efforts in this region, the poaching of rare and endangered fauna was rife. Their determination and courage over the years to protect this magnificent corner of central Brazil has resulted in the return of endangered species such as the giant otter, arapaima, jaguar, and Araguaia river dolphin. Most importantly, both Cantão and Instituto Araguaia are now supported and celebrated by local communities as well as by government authorities. This would not have been possible without the careful planning and implementation of effective conservation programmes and the dedicated efforts of Silvana and her husband.

Penelope (Penny) Figgis AO, Australia
Vital Sites: The Journey to Marseille, 2021

Penelope Figgis AO, for a lifetime dedicated to Australian and global conservation.
Prominent in all debates on biodiversity conservation in Australia, she is a leading figure in the Australian environmental movement. In the early 1980s, she worked as national lobbyist for the Australian Conservation Foundation, served as their Vice-President, and was elevated to Honorary Life Member and Patron in 2005. She has served on numerous NGOs and statutory conservation boards, and was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in recognition of her many contributions to conservation.

She has worked tirelessly at both national and international levels to promote protected areas in all their forms, leading to new protected areas, increased budgets, the involvement of Indigenous peoples in land and sea management, the promotion of connectivity conservation, and the relevance of ecosystems for climate change mitigation and adaptation.  As a prolific author, Penny has published extensively on conservation topics.

During her tenure as Director of the Australian Committee for IUCN, it became a leading contributor to Australian conservation policy discussions. As the serving Vice-Chair (Oceania) of the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA), Penny has provided inspirational and highly effective leadership, and has championed the WCPA Young Professionals.

Sarat Babu Gidda, India
Vital Sites: The Journey to Marseille, 2021

In recognition of Sarat Babu Gidda, as a passionate advocate and champion of protected and conserved areas throughout his career.

While at the Ministry of Environment and Forests in India, and since 2003 in his role as Head of the Biodiversity Science, Policy and Governance Unit at the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, Sarat has worked tirelessly with Parties to the Convention, conservation NGOs, IUCN, WCPA and Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLC) to promote effective and well-managed protected areas globally.

Sarat has championed implementation of the Programme of Work on Protected Areas. Since 2010, he has worked tirelessly to support implementation of Aichi Target 11, one of the most successful of the Aichi Targets, and now likely to be achieved. To this end, he engaged the entire global protected areas community, organised regional workshops, liaised with national focal points, developed guidance, and supported capacity building, always encouraging greater efforts to meet both coverage and quality targets. Throughout, he has worked with passion, commitment and unrelenting outreach to the entire global conservation and protected areas community.

Dan Laffoley, United Kingdom
Vital Sites: The Journey to Marseille, 2021

In recognition of Professor Dan Laffoley, as an outstanding and inspiring figure in global marine conservation, and a major contributor over many years to the work of IUCN and WCPA on marine conservation. He has applied himself tirelessly to communicating the wonder and vulnerability of the world’s ocean environment, and the profound need for large-scale expansion of well-protected and well-managed marine protected areas. He has made a major contribution to the growth of global awareness of the importance of the oceans through presentations, publications, innovative on-line resources and through brokering high-level relationships and partnerships. 

Dan is a well-known and well-respected marine biologist, science communicator and ocean protection champion. His expertise and strategic advice are frequently requested by ministers of governments and heads of leading environmental organisations and academia. His work and compelling energy have led to countless improvements for marine protected areas around the world.

David (Dave) MacKinnon, Canada
Vital Sites: The Journey to Marseille, 2021

In recognition of David MacKinnon and his lifelong commitment to nature conservation and protected areas in Nova Scotia, Canada and beyond. Through his role with Nova Scotia’s protected areas programme, he continues to work diligently and unwaveringly toward the protection of ecologically important areas.

Dave has created a lasting legacy beyond his work with government, having co-led the formation of the Nova Scotia Nature Trust more than 25 years ago. His contributions to the work of the Trust have resulted in protection for thousands of acres of private land.

Among his many achievements with the Nova Scotia government, Dave helped establish the Crown Share Land Legacy Trust, the “Our Parks and Protected Areas Plan” and played a major role in selecting and securing extensive new public lands for conservation in Nova Scotia.

For nearly 15 years, Dave has contributed to the work of the Canadian Council on Ecological Areas and most recently in the definition and recognition of “other effective area-based conservation measures” in Canada and beyond. He continues to play a leading role in the Pathway to Canada Target 1 initiative.

Denise M. Rambaldi, Brazil
Vital Sites: The Journey to Marseille, 2021

In recognition of Denise M. Rambaldi for her work to establish the São João River Watershed Environmental Protection Area in Rio de Janeiro State, now designated as a federal protected area of 150,000 hectares, among a rich list of other achievements.

Denise is credited with expanding the protection and connectedness of forest fragments critical to the survival of the golden lion tamarin in the Atlantic Coastal forests of Brazil, as well as for her leadership in convincing the Brazilian government to establish the Biological Union Reserve and to place the golden lion tamarin on the Brazilian 20-real banknote.  Her conservation work over 20 years, has led to the species recovery and change of status from "critically endangered" to "endangered” on the IUCN Red List.

She has been successful in gaining support of local communities and stakeholders including landowners and landless farmers in the common cause of habitat and species conservation. She has involved farmers in forest restoration and the establishment of corridors while enabling them to earn stable incomes. Most recently, as Vice President of the Rio de Janeiro State Environmental Agency, she continues to influence public policy on protected areas, climate change and health.

Pedro Rosabal, Switzerland
Vital Sites: The Journey to Marseille, 2021

In recognition of Pedro Rosabal, for an extraordinary career working for protected areas as critical solutions for both effective nature conservation and supporting human needs.

Pedro is a protected areas person to the core. Throughout his career, he has worked diligently and passionately for conservation and protected areas. Pedro has deep field experience in his native Cuba and the Caribbean, which he brought to IUCN’s Global Protected Areas Programme as well as the World Commission on Protected Areas. He championed efforts to make protected areas a core focus within IUCN for over twenty years.

Pedro understood the challenges faced by protected areas managers and always worked to ensure that their needs were met. He was well known as the person in the IUCN Secretariat to whom protected area managers and rangers could relate to as one of their own. He brought this richness of experience to bear in the design of the Biodiversity and Protected Areas Management (BIOPAMA) programme now effective in 79 African, Caribbean, and Pacific states.

Romeo B. Trono, Philippines
Vital Sites: The Journey to Marseille, 2021

In recognition of Romeo Trono for his courage and dedication in inspiring and pursuing the establishment of the first transboundary protected area for marine turtles in the world.

Romeo’s efforts over 35 years have even meant risking his life for the continued protection of these species in remote Philippine islands. His perseverance and passion in protecting national and regional ecosystems as well as marine wildlife throughout their life cycles are inspiring to conservationists worldwide.

As Project Leader of the Pawikan Conservation Project, Romeo worked to save turtles from local extinction, by fighting turtle egg poaching in the Turtle Islands. Under his leadership, the project led to an unprecedented increase of over 700% in green turtle eggs from 1984 to 2012. During his tenure as Country Director of WWF and Conservation International Philippines, his expertise and inputs were instrumental in negotiating regional agreements, such as the Comprehensive Action Plans of the Sulu-Sulawesi Marine Ecoregion, as well as national initiatives, such as the design of networks of marine sanctuaries in three Philippine Marine Biodiversity Corridors.

Neither political pressure, nor armed poachers, nor adverse weather conditions were able to prevent Romeo from pursuing his goals. Whichever project he tackled, he ensured the long-term impacts of his work, maintaining a balance between environmental conservation and human well-being. His ability to bring together stakeholders and resolve conflicting agendas through clear communications and good humour earned him much respect and appreciation from key actors in the conservation field.