La Roe Award

Professor John Lawton CBE FRS
Natural Environment Research Council, Swindon, UK

John Lawton has conducted pioneering research in theoretical ecology, population dynamics, community ecology, global environmental change, and the use of controlled experimental facilities for ecological research. His work has been published in more than 300 journal articles and book chapters. He was instrumental in establishing The Royal Society for the Protection of Bird’s strategy for protecting landscapes. His work, and that of others he has championed, has had a major influence on the development of environmental policies in the United Kingdom, with regard to such diverse issues as sustainable development, global climate change, fisheries management, and agricultural practices. He is recognised worldwide for his scientific accomplishments and his ability to interpret the significance of research findings for policy makers and land managers. John Lawton has truly made a difference at the science and policy interface that, in turn, has resulted in improved conditions for plants and animals throughout the world.

Distinguished Service Awards

Outside Government and Academia:

Charles Darwin Foundation for the Galapagos Islands
Galapagos, Ecuador
c/o Dr Thomas Fritts, Acting President

Since being established under UNESCO's aegis in 1959, the Charles Darwin Foundation has worked ceaselessly to ensure that the Galapagos Islands remain in near pristine condition. CDF’s efforts to eradicate invasive species in island ecosystems and reintroduce native species are exemplary for the developing and developed world. The staff and leadership of CDF have remained committed to the Galapagos in the face of serious threats from violent mobs. This award is given to the Charles Darwin Foundation for their extraordinary service to the Galapagos through research and protection programs, particularly for tackling the threat of invasive species, and for working with the Galapagos National Park Service to promote scientifically based conservation management.

Social, Economic and Political Work:

Dr Márcio Ayres
Mamirauá Institute for Sustainable Development, Brazil

Márcio Ayres was the driving force behind the creation of the Mamirauá-Amanã reserves in Brazil, which are part of the largest protected block of rainforest on earth, comprising some 20,000 square miles. Through a broad vision of sustainable development before this became a mantra for the world community, Ayres and his team conceived the Mamirauá Reserve as managed by the local community and containing a mix of fully protected lakes and land and highly productive fishery. He has encouraged, trained and supervised a cadre of Brazilian students, authored numerous technical papers and contributed to the understanding of the role of rivers in speciation of Amazonian primates. This award is given to Márcio Ayres for his extraordinary contributions in linking biodiversity conservation and sustainable development in practice.

Individual in Academia:

Professor Georgina Mace OBE FRS
Institute of Zoology, London,UK

Georgina Mace has been at the forefront of developing quantitative criteria that assess extinction threat that in turn can be linked a key tool in conservation, the IUCN Red List. Her work is an outstanding model of how to link theory, empirically based research and practice. Her contribution is already being viewed as a major turning point in changing conservation from ongoing and largely unsubstantiated crises to a reasoned set of facts and figures that scientists can hold up with pride, but alarm. This award is given in recognition of Georgina Mace’s extraordinary contribution in establishing a firm scientific basis to assessing extinction risk for threatened species.

Education and Journalism:

Sir David Attenborough CH CBE FRS
Richmond, London, UK

Naturalist and film maker David Attenborough has done more to awaken the conscience of the television viewing public to the wonders and beauty of natural history, and the measures necessary for its conservation, than any person alive today. Furthermore, he continually surprises professional scientists with his insights into aspects of the behaviour, ecology and evolution of species that they have often spent years studying, through the footage with which his film crews return, and the way that he subsequently shapes both his television series and the beautifully written books that result from any series. This award is given in recognition of David Attenborough’s extraordinary contribution in bringing the wonders and beauty of natural history, including both its robustness and fragility, into the homes of many.

Government:

Dr Phoebe Barnard
Namibian National Biodiversity Programme, Directorate of Environmental Affairs, Namibia

As Coordinator of the Namibian National Biodiversity Programme, Phoebe Barnard has major responsibilities for the organization of Namibia’s emerging 10-year strategic action plan for sustainable development through biodiversity conservation. Building on her highly regarded research on animal ecology, Barnard has succeeded in obtaining the support of natural and social scientists throughout Namibia, whose combined expertise and energy are making the National Biodiversity Program (NBP) a truly national effort. At the international level, Barnard has effectively represented both Namibia and the needs for conservation and sustainable use in the Convention on Biodiversity and other fora. This award is given to Phoebe Barnard for her extraordinary contribution to conservation in Namibia, especially for putting science into practice.

Posthumous Award

Anil Agarwal
Center for Science and Environment, New Delhi, India

Anil Agarwal recognised more than two decades ago that environment was not just a luxury of the rich, western countries, but that it ought to be a basic concern of poor countries like India in order for development to be really meaningful. He successfully championed this idea through his prolific writings in the media, by founding an NGO, the Centre for Science and Environment, by publishing series of State of the Environment Reports, and by founding the monthly environmental journal, Down To Earth, in 1992. Through his own work, and through the networks of scientists and activists he has helped inspire and train, Agarwal succeeded in educating India's middle classes and its policy makers about the importance of environmental protection to development. This award is given to Anil Agarwal for his extraordinary contributions to making mankind's onward advancement consistent with ecological protection.