AAF is planning to expand its conservation awards program into other countries.
If you have any questions regarding the expansion of the Abraham Conservation Awards, please contact us.

The Abraham Conservation Awards were started in 1995 in Nepal when Nancy Abraham, President of the Alexander Abraham Foundation, was struck by the dedication and passion for conservation displayed by a national park staff.

Since then, the Abraham Conservation awards have recognized and honored people in Asia and Africa that have made significant contributions to care for their environment. The Awards have also served as a means to raise awareness and motivation, especially among frontline conservationists.

The Abraham Conservation Awardees range from park wardens to journalists, social workers, NGO staff, local leaders, doctors… The awardees all have in common their dedication to the protection of the nature they inhabit.

Since 1995, the Awards have been given in Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and DR Congo and the AAF is seeking to expand its reach in Africa.

 Criteria

• Achievement in Conservation
The ACA recognizes recent achievements that have enhanced the environment and made an impact in the area were they occurred.

• Inspiration
The ACA rewards actions and people who are an inspiration to others through their work.

• Leadership
THE ACA seeks to acknowledge the leadership of individuals and encourage them to continue their essential work.

• Grassroots
The ACA will be given in priority to private citizens over executives or large NGOs and to grassroots initiatives over scientific and government activities.

• Under recognized
The ACA is meant to recognize the work of people whose actions would not otherwise be acknowledged. It celebrates people who often operate in the shadows to protect their environment.

• Personal risk
The ACA also rewards individuals who have conducted their conservation work at great personal risk. It also acknowledges the family of people who tragically died while doing their duty.

Nomination process

Nominating committee
The candidates are nominated by a group composed of individuals who work on environmental issues in the countries where the awards are given out and who provide the on the ground knowledge that is key to the nomination process. They include environmentalists working in the field, local and international NGO staff and officials from the Parks authorities or the ministry of the environment.

Panel of experts
A panel of experts including independent consultants, journalists and writers, members of the bilateral agencies, private funders, national and international government officials is also asked to make recommendations on the nominations.

Final selection
The final selection is made by a group composed of people from the nominating committee and the panel of experts.

Ceremony
Once the awardees are selected, a big ceremony is held in the capital of the country to publicly recognize the awardees and publicize their actions. The ceremony is usually attended by people from the conservation community but also by officials from the government and the international community who, by their presence, reinforce how an inspiration the awardees are to their country and to the world.