You read that right! Harrison Ford, probably most famous for his roles in the Star Wars and Indiana Jones movies, is famous among conservationists for another reason. He has been working with Conservation International for nearly 30 years! I think he has more than earned this award!
You are probably wondering how an award winning actor who so famous in multiple franchises and for countless movies could even be considered for this award. I know I was curious! Turns out Mr. Ford has been helping Conservation International for nearly 30 years doing things like patrolling the Hudson River by helicopter to get a good view of poachers, trekking through the forests of Indonesia to understand the unsustainable palm oil crisis affecting species like orangutans, or being on the Executive Committee and active in the design and growth of the organization.
The establishment of its Center for Applied Biodiversity Science and their Center for Environmental Leadership in Business were influenced by him and he narrated Conservation International’s Nature is Speaking feature, The Ocean. Their Global Conservation Fund has secured the protection of more than 40 million acres on three continents and he is a board member.
“Nothing is more important to human society than preserving its natural capital. Nature does not need people, people need nature,” Ford said. “Our health relies entirely on the vitality of our fellow species on Earth.”
“His conservation achievements have earned several honors, including Conservation
International’s prestigious Founders’ Award, the World Ecology Award from the International
Center for Tropical Ecology, the Global Citizen Award from the Center for Health and Global
Environment and a Lindbergh Award for his efforts to balance technology and nature.” ~ Indianapolis Prize
The Jane Alexander Global Wildlife Ambassador Award will be presented to Mr. Ford on Sept. 29, 2018 at
the Indianapolis Prize Gala which is presented by Cummins Inc. This black tie event will be held downtown in Indianapolis. Other conservationists will be honored for their selfless dedication, scientific
expertise and lasting success. The audience will enjoy an evening of storytelling with films shot on location around the world. You can purchase tickets for the Gala online HERE
Here is more information on the Indianapolis Prize and the History of Indianapolis Prize Global Wildlife Ambassadors
“Working with field conservationists and scientists, the Global Wildlife Ambassadors use their communications skills to tell the stories of threatened and endangered species and habitats, raising awareness of these issues with the public, businesses and policymakers. Jane Alexander, whose advocacy for wild things and wild places has included involvement with the Wildlife Conservation Society, the Audubon Society and Panthera, is Honorary Chair of the Indianapolis Prize and received the inaugural Global Wildlife Ambassador award in 2012.
Stage and screen star Sigourney Weaver received the honor in 2016 for her dedication to the
mountain gorillas of Rwanda. Since her starring role in the 1988 film Gorillas in the Mist, she
has served as honorary chair of the Diane Fossey Gorilla Fund International. She brought
credibility to BBC’s highly popular series Planet Earth, joined conservationists at the United
Nations General Assembly and has earned multiple awards from the Explorer’s Club and
Audubon’s Women in Conservation.” ~ Indianapolis Prize
I love that she worked with the Mountain Gorillas after she played Diane Fossey. She has always been one of my favorite actress but probably for her role in the Alien franchise than anything. Now as far at the Indianapolis Prize goes…
“The Indianapolis Prize recognizes and rewards conservationists who have achieved major
victories in advancing the sustainability of an animal species or group of species. Winners
receive the Lilly Medal and an unrestricted $250,000 award. Remaining Finalists each receive
$10,000. The Indianapolis Prize has received support from the Eli Lilly and Company
Foundation since its inception.” ~ Indianapolis Prize
We won’t be in town or I would pay for a ticket to this Gala. This is honestly the first year I have even heard of it and I love that I am from a city that honors these wonderful men and women. My family lives on the road at the moment, traveling all over and as we go we try to leave the earth a little better than we found it. We recycle, reduse, and reuse everything we can. We clean up beaches when we visit oceans, parks when we go hiking and would probably pit stop on a highway to clean up if we wouldn’t get in trouble…towing a travel trailer is a bit obvious and hard to just stop on a busy highway.
We can’t do nearly as much as these wonderful people do but we can do our part and we can help others do theirs along the way. Let’s leave this world better than it was left for us.
“Ford’s love for the natural world is rooted in a commitment to the world that will be left for future generations.”
