Three #NatureForAll champions were recognized for their work at the 2021 IUCN World Conservation Congress in Marseille, France, which was held from 3-11 of September 2021.
At the Forum Creating a world inspired by #NatureForAll, the IUCN Commission on Education and Communication presented their work from the last five years, including the growth of the #NatureForAll movement. During the event, CEC Chair Sean Southey awarded three recognitions to CEC and IUCN members who have excelled in their commitment to conservation, education, and communication.
Mary Margaret (Meg), the CEO of the Wildlife Clubs of Kenya, was awarded the Brandwein Medal, which is bestowed upon an individual or organization who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to education, lifelong learning, nature, and community. After graduating from the University of Nairobi she launched into the field of environmental education. Otieno has been CEO and Coordinator of the wildlife clubs of Kenya since 2008.
The previous recipient, and current deputy chair of the CEC, Katalin Czippan said Meg is well-deserving of this medal. “Nobody deserves this award more than you do,” Katalin said. “The work you have done for #NatureForAll will not go unrecognized.”
Carlos Estrada is a young CEC member and the communications and fundraising lead at Fondo de Conservacion El Triunfo (FONCET), an IUCN Member organisation working to conserve the natural protected areas of Chiapas and Oaxaca, Mexico. Carlos was awarded the CEC Young Professional Award for commitment to conservation for his outstanding role in supporting the mission of the Commission at a young age.
Carlos is skilled in educational video making and a passionate conservationist who shares his love for the natural environment of Mexico with everyone. “The work Carlos has dedicated to the field of education and conservation is the perfect example of what we should all be doing to help spread the love of nature,” said Sean.
The CEC’s Award for Commitment to Conservation was presented to the Parks Canada Agency. This award celebrates an outstanding member, organization, or group in their contribution to creative tools and approaches to raise awareness and inspire action to conserve nature. Parks Canada is responsible for national historic sites, national parks, national marine conservation areas, and national urban parks across Canada. It has played a leadership role in building the #NatureForAll movement for the last four years, a role it has committed to maintain for at least the next two years.
Parks Canada has contributed to #NatureForAll because of its importance in building the constituency of support for its mandate as well as to the mandates of many other IUCN members.
The award includes special recognition to Karen Keenleyside, Manager for Intergovernmental Collaboration at Parks Canada. Karen is an IUCN CEC member and one of the three #NatureFoAll co-chairs. She is also a member of the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) Steering Committee.
“#NatureForAll is an opportunity for our work to be part of something bigger and to have a greater impact through collaboration with a diverse and growing network of partners in Canada, where we have almost 80 partner organizations and globally, where we have just surpassed 500.,” said Karen. “We can all do more together than we can do alone.”