New York, NY - The second Thomas E. Lovejoy Prize was awarded last night to an exceptional leader who has led innovative approaches to advance the conservation of the Amazon rainforest. The recipient of this year's prize is Martín von Hildebrand, an ethnologist and anthropologist with 50 years of experience defending Indigenous peoples' rights and advancing the conservation of the rainforest. He was celebrated during a ceremony held at the Wildlife Conservation Society's Central Park Zoo during New York City's annual Climate Week.
The Thomas E. Lovejoy Prize was created to honor the legacy of Dr. Thomas Lovejoy, who passed away in 2021. Dr. Lovejoy, a renowned expert on biodiversity, was a passionate champion for the conservation of the Amazon rainforest who brought together science and advocacy and a spirit of collaboration to his chosen cause. The prize honors his dedication to the Amazon by acknowledging the achievements of individuals who embody that same spirit and dedication. The Thomas E. Lovejoy Prize is intended to provide a platform for others to learn more about the prize winner's initiatives and achievements, and to help to inspire a new generation of Amazon conservationists at a time of urgency related to the need to avoid reaching an ecological tipping point in the region.
The Amazon, often described as a critical regulator of the global climate and a stronghold of culture and biodiversity, is facing alarming rates of deforestation and degradation. Recognizing leaders who defend this ecosystem is not only a tribute, but also an urgent call to safeguard climate stability and the well-being of millions of people who depend on it.
Along with renowned Amazon experts, conservation leaders and the Lovejoy family, the Global Environment Facility (GEF), Conservation International (CI), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), and World Wildlife Fund in the US (WWF-US) came together in 2024 to establish the Lovejoy Prize. The prize committee includes the following renowned conservationists and Amazon experts: Brigitte Baptiste, Yolanda Kakabadse, Carlos Nobre, and Enrique Ortiz, among others.
"Martín von Hildebrand embodies everything Tom Lovejoy believed about conservation leadership. Dr. Hildebrand's commitment to Indigenous wisdom, devotion to collaborative solutions, and fearless pursuit of conservation in the Amazon honors Tom's work and legacy. And today we are excited to honor him," said Carter Roberts, president and CEO of WWF-US. "Tom championed Indigenous rights and their role as the Amazon's most effective guardians. This prize celebrates leaders who share Tom's conviction that protecting the Amazon requires both rigorous science and deep respect for the people who call it home. Congratulations to Dr. Hildebrand on his achievements."
"It is a profound honor to celebrate Martín von Hildebrand as the recipient of the second annual Thomas E. Lovejoy Prize," said Jennifer Morris, CEO of The Nature Conservancy. "Martín's lifelong dedication to defending Indigenous rights and protecting the Amazon rainforest reflects the very essence of this award-visionary leadership rooted in science, advocacy, and deep respect for nature and people. For over five decades, he has pioneered approaches that not only conserve biodiversity but empower the communities who live within and care for these vital ecosystems."
"Tom Lovejoy taught the world that protecting the Amazon is about safeguarding life itself. What set him apart was his inclusive approach, his drive to build a bigger tent and his lifelong effort to bring people together for the urgent purpose of protecting Earth's greatest forest. In honoring Martín von Hildebrand with this award, we celebrate a kindred spirit who has carried Tom's vision forward over his decades-long work with Indigenous peoples to protect vast swaths of the Colombian Amazon," said Daniela Raik, Conservation International Interim CEO.
"Martín von Hildebrand's tireless dedication to conservation and his groundbreaking work in protecting the Amazon rainforest and its people, have made a lasting impact on our planet. This award is a testament to his unwavering commitment to preserving biodiversity and promoting Indigenous Peoples and local communities' rights," said Carlos Manuel Rodríguez, CEO and Chairperson of the Global Environment Facility.
"Martín von Hildebrand's life's work exemplifies the vision and courage needed to secure the future of the Amazon and the people who depend on it. His leadership has demonstrated that empowering Indigenous communities is not only a matter of justice but also the most effective path to safeguarding one of the most vital ecosystems on Earth," said Joe Walston, Executive Vice President of WCS Global. "WCS is proud to join with our partners to honor his achievements through the Lovejoy Prize, which carries forward Tom Lovejoy's legacy of science, collaboration, and unwavering commitment to the Amazon."
About the Prize Winner:
Martín von Hildebrand's leadership in the conservation of the Amazon began in the 1970s. After living with Indigenous communities in Colombia beginning in 1972, he helped establish legal protections for their territories and founded the Gaia Amazonas Foundation in 1990 to support Indigenous-led conservation. His efforts have led to the creation and expansion of protected areas covering millions of hectares, and he continues to lead initiatives like the Andes Amazon Atlantic Corridor, which connects ecosystems and communities across national borders to safeguard biodiversity and cultural heritage.
Altogether, his initiatives have helped secure more than 26 million hectares of Indigenous territories -building one of the world's largest community-led conservation systems.
His achievements have been recognized internationally, with awards from the Colombian government, the Skoll Foundation, and the World Economic Forum. His guiding belief is that Indigenous peoples-who have lived in harmony with the rainforest for thousands of years-are its most effective stewards.
"I have spent 50 years with the Indigenous peoples of the Amazon, speaking about land, laws, and their own governments or intercultural governments," said von Hildebrand. "I never fully understood their culture, nor did they mine, but we built trust, held hands, walked together and changed the history of the region. A fundamental difference between our cultures is that, for them, human beings are part of nature, we are nature, and the relationship with the environment is one of kinship and reciprocity. Westerners, on the other hand, believe we are separated from nature. We see it as a collection of objects for our own well-being. If we truly want to live again with nature and avoid the destruction of our common home, we can find inspiration in their thought, it's a sophisticated wisdom for the present and for the future."
The Thomas E. Lovejoy Prize honors a legacy and projects a growing tradition: recognizing leaders who, through science, vision, and respect for natural and cultural diversity, work tirelessly for the future of the Amazon and the planet.
