It’s time to honour the men and women working tirelessly to protect endangered species populations from poachers; nominate them for the awards they deserve!
South Africa (16 April 2020) – Never before has the importance of raising awareness for conservation and the individuals and organisations who fight tirelessly for it, been more paramount. The nominations for the 2020 Rhino Conservation Awards are now open, only this year, the goal is to honour the people working to protect all endangered wildlife!
The awards, usually focussed solely on rhino conservation, have embraced all endangered wildlife conservationists and activists. Open to all, the hope is more people will nominate the wildlife heroes of Africa.
These prestigious awards aim to highlight the people and organisations who are working constantly to reduce the threats and increase the sustainability of conservation efforts in Africa in order to create a future where wildlife and people can thrive again.
The Awards were founded by Dr Larry Hansen (Founder of the ‘Carl Zeiss Tiger Conservation Award’) and Miss Xiaoyang Yu (Founding Partner of China New Enterprise Investment) in 2011 and are hosted annually in collaboration with the non-profit Game Rangers’ Association of Africa (GRAA). They have been well received by the African conservation fraternity and continue to garner both public and media support. They are made possible with the generous support of sponsors ZEISS and CNEI and are endorsed by the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA). His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco, who is committed to the protection of endangered species through the support of his Foundation, is the Patron of the Rhino Conservation Awards.
Historically, the titles have been awarded to the game-changers and ‘wilderness warriors’ of conservation.
It is so important that we continue to celebrate these individuals and organisations. That is why this year, the Rhino Conservation Awards will broaden their focus from solely rhino conservation in order to include those working in endangered species conservation. The primary objective of the awards is to give recognition to the leading role players in endangered species conservation and in doing so bring their crucial work to the worlds’ attention.
“The Rhino Conservation Awards are a uniquely African award programme where African conservationists recognise their peers and the incredible work they do for our endangered species. This is a great example of an initiative for rangers, by rangers. They showcase the real heroes and guardians of our natural heritage and have become an integral part of the conservation calendar.” Andrew Campbell, Chief Executive Officer – Game Rangers’ Association of Africa.
The Awards welcome members of the public, non-profits, individuals within conservation organisations and governmental entities across Africa to submit their nominations for these prestigious awards to recognise outstanding conservation work in their sector.
Nominations for the Rhino Conservation Awards 2020 have officially opened under the following four categories:
Best Field Ranger:
This must be an employed field ranger who works in the field ensuring the biological and territorial integrity of a protected area and whose work benefits endangered species conservation.
Best Game Ranger:
This must be an employed game ranger who works in a management position ensuring the biological and territorial integrity of a protected area and whose work benefits endangered species conservation.
Best Conservation Practitioner:
This must be a team or entity working full-time in the field of endangered species conservation with a clear track record of excellence in protected area management, conservation management, counter-poaching operations, biological monitoring or a related conservation field.
Best Conservation Supporter:
This must be a person, team or entity that plays a significant role in supporting endangered species conservation in any field including but not limited to scientific research, awareness, advocacy, education, investigations, prosecutions, judiciary, political support, community relations or fundraising.
The nominations are open until the 30th of April 2020. You can find the nomination form on their website here.
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