Actors have the Oscars and Emmys, musicians have Grammys, and the different athletic associations have their respective championships. There are Nobel Prizes for chemists and physicists, authors and peacemakers. But where is the recognition for conservationists. In 2006, the Indianapolis Zoo sought to remedy that lack of appreciation by creating its own prize?
The Indianapolis Prize, as it is somewhat unoriginally called, is a biannual prize offered to reward individuals who have made significant contributions to the conservation of wild animals. Past recipients include George Archibald of the International Crane Foundation, George Schaller of the Wildlife Conservation Society, and Carl Jones of Durrell Wildlife Conservation Society.
The Indianapolis Prize has recently been joined by sister awards. The Jane Alexander Global Wildlife Ambassador Award, which celebrates individuals who have served wildlife through advocacy and public awareness, as opposed to direct conservation work and research. Recipients have included Sigourney Weaver, whose commitment to the conservation of mountain gorillas was borne out of her starring in the film Gorillas in the Mist and Joel Sartore, the National Geographic photographer who founded the Photo Ark project. There is also the Emerging Conservation Award, which recognizes naturalists under forty years of age, who have already made an impact on conservation.
No one goes into wildlife conservation in order to win prizes and kudos - there are much better careers choices for that. Still, it is very important to shine a light on those who are working to make a better world for people and animals. It helps to show the rest of the world that there is hope for making a difference, and encouraging them to join in the efforts.
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