The Indianapolis Prize – the world’s leading award for animal conservation – celebrated the world’s preeminent animal conservationists at the Indianapolis Prize Gala presented by Cummins Inc.
Dr. Amanda Vincent, the 2021 recipient and eighth Winner of the Prize, which is awarded
biennially by the Indianapolis Zoological Society, received a $250,000 grant – the largest
unrestricted monetary award given for the successful conservation of endangered or
threatened species. Ocean conservationist and the Sovereign Prince of Monaco His Serene
Highness Prince Albert II received the 2021 Jane Alexander Global Wildlife Ambassador
Award.
“On this night, we celebrate the victories of the world’s leading conservationists whose work
to save species has an undeniable impact for our planet’s wild things and wild places,” said
Dr. Rob Shumaker, President & CEO of the Indianapolis Zoological Society, Inc. “It is an honor to recognize these heroes and hope their stories will inspire action to protect our planet and all who inhabit it.”
Dr. Vincent is a professor at the Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries at The University of
British Columbia, where she directs Project Seahorse. Vincent is credited as being the first
biologist to study seahorses in the wild, document their extensive trade and establish a
project for seahorse conservation.
Vincent has dedicated her career to advocating for seahorses and is credited with bringing
the world’s attention to the 44 known species of seahorses and developing an effective
approach for their conservation. With a relentless dedication to conservation, Vincent
generated 35 marine protected areas – dedicated areas of the ocean where fishing is not
permitted – where the populations of seahorses and other marine life are thriving.
“It is a great honor to be named the 2021 Indianapolis Prize Winner. This prestigious global
award allows me to advocate for vastly more attention to the ocean – which accounts for 99
percent of the living space on Earth – and all the species on which the marine ecosystem
depends. Through the perspective of seahorses, we have inspired many, many people
globally to safeguard ocean life. The Indianapolis Prize now gives us an even bigger platform
to invite and empower people to take meaningful conservation action.”
Vincent was selected from a group of six Finalists by a Jury comprised of distinguished
scientists and conservation leaders. The Finalists are: Dr. Christophe Boesch (Wild
Chimpanzee Foundation); Dr. P. Dee Boersma (University of Washington and Center for
Ecosystem Sentinels); Dr. Sylvia Earle (Mission Blue and Deep Ocean Exploration and
Research); Dr. Gerardo Ceballos (Institute of Ecology of the National Autonomous University
of Mexico); and Dr. John Robinson (Wildlife Conservation Society). Each Finalist received
$10,000.
At the Gala, HSH Prince Albert II was honored with the Jane Alexander Global Wildlife
Ambassador Award for his dedication to preserving the world’s oceans. Accepting the award
on His Serene Highness’ behalf was the president of the Prince Albert II of Monaco
Foundation, John B. Kelly II.
“I am extremely honored to be receiving such an important award, a truly significant one in
the field of animal conservation,” said HSH Prince Albert II. “Please allow me to take this
award as an additional encouragement to pursue my action and stick to my convictions. It
will help me keep on my commitments and my contributions to the preservation of the
oceans, the conservation of coral reefs and marine protected areas, and strive to protect
endangered marine species.”
An exciting new initiative of the Indianapolis Prize program was also announced during the
evenings program. The Emerging Conservationist Award – made possible through a grant
from the Sidekick Foundation – is a biennial award recognizing conservationists under 40
years of age who are beginning to make significant strides in saving an animal species or
group of species. Nominations for this award will be accepted on Sept. 27, 2021 through Feb. 25, 2022. The inaugural Emerging Conservationist Award will be presented at the 2023
Indianapolis Prize Gala in downtown Indianapolis. To learn more about this exciting new
award visit IndianapolisPrize.org/emergingconservationist.
The Indianapolis Prize Gala was hosted by NBC News’ chief environmental affairs
correspondent Anne Thompson and ocean activist and science communicator, Danni
Washington. The Gala puts an international spotlight on the conservation heroes who share
their stories and inspire audience members to Take a Step for species survival.