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Defenders in Action: Defenders Celebrates Six Decades of Innovation in Conservation
Defenders of Wildlife commemorated its 60th anniversary in style last fall by hosting a cutting-edge symposium and a star-studded awards dinner in the nation's capital.
At a day-long conference on September 27, Defenders convened some of the nation's brightest minds from the fields of science, wildlife management and conservation policy to discuss global warming and wildlife.
"We owe it to ourselves, our children and our grandchildren—not to mention to the rest of life on Earth—to begin taking action now to help as many species as possible survive the impact of global warming," said Defenders' President Rodger Schlickeisen, who opened the symposium.
The conference included three panels, the first of which reviewed the expected impacts of global warming on wildlife and habitat across North America. The second panel shared ideas on options for reducing these impacts, and the third panel discussed steps that policymakers can take to help wildlife survive global warming.
Symposium attendees suggested several actions, including creating new partnerships aimed at improving the quality and quantity of protected habitat, and creating protected corridors to help wildlife move into areas that are less affected by global warming. Several speakers noted that reducing other threats, such as pollution and industrial development, would give wildlife the best possible chance of surviving the additional impacts of global warming.
"What we are doing here is a huge step forward," said J. Michael Scott of the U.S. Geological Survey, who called for new wildlife partnerships that would cross traditional boundaries of geography, politics and scientific disciplines.
That evening, more than 400 people—including Defenders' board members, legislators and an array of supporters, celebrities and friends—gathered in a ballroom at the Capital Hilton for a fundraising dinner to toast the organization's six decades of achievements and honor leaders in the conservation field.
The event, hosted by television personality and Defenders' board member Jeff Corwin, showcased key contributions Defenders has made during its history. "From wolves to grizzlies, to piping plovers and condors, Defenders of Wildlife has worked with diverse partners and used all of the tools—from education and advocacy, to legislation and litigation—to ensure that generations to come will enjoy the diverse wildlife and special places that we do today," said Corwin.
"Clearly, we have done amazing things over the decades," added board chair Victor Sher. "But there are immense challenges ahead. How we address the impacts of global warming will be felt for generations to come. I have faith, though, that together we will ensure that our children and grandchildren will enjoy the same diverse wildlife and special places we all treasure."
At the conclusion of the evening, Sher and Schlickeisen presented the first "Spirit of Defenders" awards to three people who embody the ideals of the organization. The Spirit of Defenders Award for Science was given to Douglas Smith, a leading wolf expert and head of Yellowstone National Park's Gray Wolf Restoration Project. The Spirit of Defenders Award for Citizen Advocacy was presented to Deborah Williams, president and founder of Alaska Conservation Solutions. Congressman George Miller (D-Calif.), a tireless advocate for conservation on Capitol Hill, received the Spirit of Defenders Award for Public Service.
Finally, the highest honor—The Defenders of Wildlife Legacy Award, acknowledging a lifetime of achievement in wildlife conservation—was presented to Edward O. Wilson. Wilson, an emeritus professor at Harvard University, is a Pulitizer-prize winning author of more than 20 books about nature and conservation, and is widely hailed as the "father of biodiversity."
"What better way to celebrate our 60th anniversary than to honor such important partners in our efforts to conserve our world's most treasured wildlife and wild places," Corwin said at the conclusion of the dinner, noting that the event raised more than $300,000 for Defenders' conservation efforts.
