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2007 SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY AWARDS

• EDWARD T. LAROE III MEMORIAL AWARD
• DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARDS

SCB has honored six individuals and organizations for their outstanding contributions to advancing the science and practice of conserving Earth's biological diversity. Recipients of the 2007 awards were nominated by members of SCB, selected by the Awards Committee, and approved by the Board of Governors. The awards will be presented on 4 July during the 2007 annual meeting in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Kathryn Saterson, chair of the Awards Committee, noted that the awards "recognize exceptional efforts by individuals and institutions to understand and communicate human impacts on biological diversity and to develop approaches to improved conservation management and policy."

EDWARD T. LAROE III MEMORIAL AWARD

The Edward T. LaRoe III Memorial Award is given to an individual who has made major research contributions to conservation biology and has been a leader in translating their work to inform policy.

Jeremy Jackson

Jeremy Jackson (Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego) was recognized for his international research on the adverse effects of overfishing on marine ecosystems, his development of the "Shifting Baselines" public education program, and the creation of the Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation at Scripps. Jackson's research has altered our understanding of the magnitude of human impacts on marine ecosystems.

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARDS

JC Daniel

JC Daniel (Bombay Natural History Society, India) was cited for his contributions to wildlife conservation in India and beyond through stewardship of the Bombay Natural History Society and mentoring the next generation of Indian wildlife scientists. Shortly after India's independence, Daniel took up the stewardship of the Bombay Natural History Society and the structuring of the conservation movement in India. He helped garner international and Indian government attention to a variety of taxa in India ranging from the tiger to the golden gecko. Daniel also mentored young scientists, and participated in governmental committees.

Rodolfo Dirzo

Rodolfo Dirzo (Stanford University, United States) was honored for his contributions to conservation science and education in Mexico, Latin America, and beyond. Not only does Dirzo have an extremely productive research record, he also has made an extraordinary impact on the environmental decision-making and policy-making process in Mexico and other countries. His research in plant population ecology and plant-animal relationships has increased understanding of human impacts on ecosystem structure and function.

Malcolm Hunter

Malcolm Hunter (University of Maine, United States) was acknowledged for his contributions to the field of conservation biology and for superb leadership as President of the Society of Conservation Biology as it evolved into a more international organization. Hunter is an outstanding conservation biologist with an extensive research record in ecosystem management. He authored one of the leading conservation biology textbooks. Hunter has a long history of substantive involvement with the Society for Conservation Biology and served as its president from 2001 to 2003.

Kathryn MacKinnon

Kathryn MacKinnon (World Bank) was honored for her contributions to global biodiversity conservation through her leadership and tireless efforts to ensure that conservation science influences the policies and programs of the World Bank and the Global Environment Facility throughout the developing world. As the World Bank's lead biodiversity specialist, MacKinnon's reach is global, extending from community leaders, to World Bank staff, to national and international leaders in development and conservation.

Nature Kenya

Nature Kenya, a small but extremely effective non-government organization in Nairobi, was acknowledged for its pioneering conservation and education work in Kenya. Nature Kenya has increased local involvement in protection of Important Bird Areas through the development and training of local site support groups. These groups have been highly successful in providing cost effective sustainable conservation management. Nature Kenya has trained thousands of birdwatchers through thirty years of weekly birdwatching walks. Nature Kenya has shared the experience it has gained with surrounding countries.

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