Indianapolis Prize

Last updated
The Indianapolis Prize
Indianapolis Prize logo.png
Awarded for"Extraordinary contributions to conservation efforts"
Location Indianapolis, Indiana
CountryUnited States
Presented by Indianapolis Zoological Society
Reward(s)
  • US$250,000 (1st place)
  • US$10,000 (5 runners-up)
First awarded2006;18 years ago (2006)
Website www.indianapolisprize.org

The Indianapolis Prize is a biennial prize awarded by the Indianapolis Zoo to individuals for "extraordinary contributions to conservation efforts" affecting one or more animal species. [1]

Contents

Overview

The Indianapolis Prize was established by the Indianapolis Zoo to recognize and reward individuals who have achieved significant successes in the conservation of animal species.

Every two years, nominations of deserving individuals for the Indianapolis Prize are accepted. From those nominations, a group of conservation experts from around the world select six finalists. A second group of conservation experts, aided by representatives from the Indianapolis Zoo and the city of Indianapolis, serve as jurors to review the work of the six finalists and select the winner. [1]

From 2006 through 2012, winners received an unrestricted cash award of US$100,000, which was increased to US$250,000 for 2014 and subsequent years. In addition, beginning in 2023, the five other finalists each receive a US$50,000 unrestricted cash award. [1]

Many renowned conservationists and scientists have served on the nominating committee and jury, including E.O. Wilson, John Terborgh, Peter Raven, and Stuart Pimm. New nominating committee and jury members are chosen each two-year prize cycle.

The Eli Lilly and Company Foundation provides funding for the prize. In addition to the US$250,000 award, the winner also receives the Lilly Medal. The obverse of the Lilly Medal features a shepherd surrounded by nature and the rising sun. On the reverse is inscribed a quote from naturalist John Muir, "When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe." [2]

Indianapolis Prize Gala

The winner and finalists are celebrated at the Indianapolis Prize Gala held in downtown Indianapolis. It is designed to inspire guests to care more about animal conservation and place these dedicated heroes on the pedestal usually reserved for sports and entertainment stars. [3]

Jane Alexander Global Wildlife Ambassador Award

Additionally, the Indianapolis Prize created the Jane Alexander Global Wildlife Ambassador Award to recognize advocacy, outreach, and contributions of public figures who use their platform to support the natural world. The award is named in honor of actor and conservationist Jane Alexander, winners of the Ambassador award lend a credible public voice for the sustainability of wildlife.

The inaugural Jane Alexander Global Wildlife Ambassador Award was presented to its namesake in recognition of her decades-long commitment as a voice and champion for species. She has been involved with the Wildlife Conservation Society, the Audubon Society, and Panthera.[ citation needed ]

2016 Winner Sigourney Weaver has been an advocate for the mountain gorillas of Rwanda since her starring role in the 1988 film Gorillas in the Mist and serves as honorary chair of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International. [4]

In 2018, Harrison Ford received the honor for his support of Conservation International, where he is on the Executive Committee and active in the organization's design and growth. He gave voice to the Nature Is Speaking film The Ocean and helped secure the protection of more than forty million acres (16,000,000 ha) on three continents as part of the Global Conservation Fund. [5]

In 2021, ocean conservationist and philanthropist Prince Albert II of Monaco received the honor for his dedication to protecting the world's oceans; he established the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation in 2006 to address the planet's alarming environmental situation. Under his leadership, Monaco is the official proponent for action by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) on behalf of seahorses – a flagship species that is indicative of ocean health. [6]

Wildlife photographer Joel Sartore received the award in 2023 for his portrait photography of at-risk species. Sartore and National Geographic founded the Photo Ark project in 2006 to inspire people to protect threatened and endangered species through documentary photography and videos. [7]

Emerging Conservationist Award

In 2022, the Indianapolis Prize Committee created a new award recognizing conservationists early in their careers and under the age of 40 years of age with the drive to make a significant impact on a species or group of species. The goal of the award is to encourage talented individuals who dedicate their lives and careers to saving species.

Similarly to the Indianapolis Prize Award, the Emerging Conservationist is chosen through a two-stage selection process. The Winner receives a US$50,000 award to further their conservation work. [8]

In 2023, Peruvian primatologist and anthropologist, Fanny M. Cornejo was named the inaugural Winner of the Emerging Conservationist Award for her work dedicated to the conservation and research of the yellow-tailed woolly monkey. She also serves as Executive Director of Yunkawasi, an organization that works with Amazonian and Andean communities for the conservation of threatened species through sustainable economic development and a protected area management approach. [9]

Indianapolis Prize finalists

YearFinalistAnimals StudiedOrganizationSources
2006Holly Dublinendangered species International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
2006 Iain Douglas-Hamilton African elephants Save the Elephants
2006 L. David Mech wolvesInternational Wolf Foundation
2006 Roger Payne whales Ocean Alliance
2006Simon StuartamphibiansAmphibian Survival Alliance
2008 Iain Douglas-Hamilton African elephants Save the Elephants
2008Rodney Jacksonsnow leopards Snow Leopard Conservancy
2008 K. Ullas Karanth tigers Wildlife Conservation Society
2008Laurie Markercheetahs Cheetah Conservation Fund
2008 Roger Payne whales Ocean Alliance
2010Gerardo Ceballosjaguars, black-footed ferretsInstitute of Ecology, National Autonomous University of Mexico
2010Rodney Jacksonsnow leopards Snow Leopard Conservancy
2010Laurie Markercheetahs Cheetah Conservation Fund
2010 Carl Safina marine species, orcas, wolves, elephantsThe Safina Center
2010 Amanda Vincent seahorses Project Seahorse
2012Markus BornerAfrican species, rhinosFrankfurt Zoological Society
2012Rodney Jacksonsnow leopards Snow Leopard Conservancy
2012 Carl Jones birds, reptiles Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Mauritian Wildlife Foundation
2012 Russ Mittermeier primates, turtles, tortoises, biodiversity hotspotsGlobal Wildlife Conservation
2012 Patricia Wright lemursCentre ValBio
2014Joel Bergermuskox, huemul Wildlife Conservation Society
2014Gerardo Ceballosjaguars, black-footed ferretsInstitute of Ecology, National Autonomous University of Mexico
2014 Carl Jones birds, reptiles Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Mauritian Wildlife Foundation
2014 Russ Mittermeier primates, turtles, tortoises, biodiversity hotspotsGlobal Wildlife Conservation
2014 Carl Safina marine species, orcas, wolves, elephantsThe Safina Center
2016Joel Bergermuskox, huemul Wildlife Conservation Society
2016 P. Dee Boersma penguinsEcosystem Sentinels
2016Rodney Jacksonsnow leopards Snow Leopard Conservancy
2016 Carl Safina marine species, orcas, wolves, elephantsThe Safina Center
2016 Amanda Vincent seahorses Project Seahorse
2018Joel Bergermuskox, huemul Wildlife Conservation Society
2018 P. Dee Boersma penguinsEcosystem Sentinels
2018 Sylvia Earle marine speciesMission Blue
2018Rodney Jacksonsnow leopards Snow Leopard Conservancy
2018 Carl Safina marine species, orcas, wolves, elephantsThe Safina Center
2020 Caroline Blanvillain birds Ornithological Society of Polynesia [10]
2020 P. Dee Boersma penguinsEcosystem Sentinels
2020Christophe BoeschchimpanzeesWild Chimpanzee Foundation
2020Gerardo Ceballosjaguars, black-footed ferretsInstitute of Ecology, National Autonomous University of Mexico
2020 Sylvia Earle marine speciesMission Blue
2020John Robinsonterrestrial species Wildlife Conservation Society
2023 Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka mountain gorillas Conservation Through Public Health
2023Biruté Mary GaldikasorangutansOrangutan Foundation International
2023Karen Eckertsea turtlesWider Caribbean Sea Turtle Conservation Network
2023Christophe BoeschchimpanzeesWild Chimpanzee Foundation
2023Gerardo Ceballosjaguars, black-footed ferretsInstitute of Ecology, National Autonomous University of Mexico

Indianapolis Prize winners

YearWinnerAnimals studiedOrganizationSources
2006 George W. Archibald Cranes International Crane Foundation [11] [12]
2008 George B. Schaller Multiple species Wildlife Conservation Society [13]
2010 Iain Douglas-Hamilton Elephants Save the Elephants [14] [15]
2012 Steven Amstrup Polar bears Polar Bears International [16]
2014 Patricia Wright Lemurs Centre ValBio [17] [18]
2016 Carl Jones Birds, Multiple species Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust [19]
2018 Russell A. Mittermeier primates, turtles, tortoises, biodiversity hotspotsGlobal Wildlife Conservation [20]
2020 Amanda Vincent seahorsesProject Seahorse[ citation needed ]
2023Pablo Garcia BorboroglupenguinsGlobal Penguin Society[ citation needed ]

See also

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References

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  7. "The Photo Ark".
  8. "Endowment Support for Wildlife Conservation". Indianapolis Prize. Retrieved 2023-11-23.
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