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Resolution 13: WILD Awards for Wilderness Heroes / Premios WILD a Héroes de las Tierras Silvestres

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WHEREAS:

The 8th World Wilderness Congress:

Recognized that:

Individuals, institutions, politicians, philanthropists and communities can and do make outstanding contributions to pioneering and progressing world practice in wilderness protection and sound stewardship;

Noted that:

• international awards can assist in raising the profile and influence of those who are leading the way, and can also provide meaningful reward and feedback to wilderness pioneers and their colleagues and communities;

Urged international bodies and benefactors to:

• join together in establishing an international awards system (and possibly linked publication and/or website) to honor and raise international awareness of those responsible for outstanding initiatives and success stories in the protection and sound stewardship of wilderness.

• Investigate the establishment of an international awards system to honor and reward wilderness heroes and champion stewards.

WILD8 resolved (Resolution 42: That the 8th World Wilderness Congress endorses the concept of this initiative and recommends that the proposers of this resolution:

• Consider strategies to raise global awareness of the above leading practices and success stories (e.g. through a publication series and/or website); and

• Discuss the potential launch of this initiative at the 9th World Wilderness Congress.

Since WILD8, responses to this call have included the launch at WILD9 of the Wilderness Visionaries initiative which profiles and communicates the lives and contributions of extraordinary people who have changed the history of the world for wilderness.

THEREFORE: WILD9 reaffirms the above and further notes:

• A WILD Awards system aligned to the key themes of World Wilderness Congresses would complement the WILD Wilderness Visionaries initiative and provide recognition, encouragement and investment in today’s wilderness heroes and champion stewards, including emerging heroes.

• Innovative approaches which have the potential to significantly contribute to advancing global practice in wilderness protection and conservation are more likely to gain faster and wider uptake if they have been recognised through high profile prestigious international Awards.

• Initiatives that have been recognised as world leading successes and exemplary practice are more likely to be viewed positively and with pride by those associated with the initiative, e.g. local communities, governments and corporations. The wave of positivity generated helps encourage emulation and uptake of the approach by others.

• All awards are personally meaningful to recipients. Awards that come with significant personal monetary prizes not only make recipients feel their contribution is genuinely valued, but can also encourage and enable awards recipients to go on to make lifelong contributions in their field as a result of being less constrained by normal employment needs.

• There are a range of mechanisms which potentially could contribute to establishing and building significant monetary prizes for WILD Awards for Wilderness Heroes, e.g. partnerships, sponsorships and gifting.

• There may be additional opportunities for WILD Awards for Wilderness Heroes to assist and support awards recipients to continue their work and role as wilderness ambassadors to the world.

RESOLVED:

That the 9th World Wilderness Congress endorses the concept of WILD Awards for Wilderness Heroes and recommends that interested parties:

• Consider opportunities and potential partners for developing and progressing the establishment of WILD Awards for Wilderness Heroes to recognise, encourage and invest in today’s wilderness heroes and champion stewards.

• Consider the potential launch of this initiative at the 10th World Wilderness Congress.

PROPOSED:

Glenys Jones (private delegate, Tasmania Australia)

SECONDERS:

Peter Landres (Delegate)

Mary Granskou (Canadian Boreal initiative)

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