Indianapolis Prize


The Indianapolis Prize is a biennial prize awarded by the Indianapolis Zoo to individuals for "extraordinary contributions to conservation efforts" affecting one or more animal species.

Overview

The Indianapolis Prize was established by the Indianapolis Zoo to recognize and reward individuals who have achieved significant successes in the conservation of animal species.
Every two years, nominations of deserving individuals for the Indianapolis Prize are accepted. From those nominations, a group of conservation experts from around the world select six finalists. A second group of conservation experts, aided by representatives from the Indianapolis Zoo and the city of Indianapolis, serve as jurors to review the work of the six finalists and select the winner.
From 2006 through 2012, winners received an unrestricted cash award of US$100,000, which was increased to US$250,000 for 2014 and subsequent years. In addition, beginning in 2014, the five other finalists each receive a US$10,000 unrestricted cash award.
Many renowned conservationists and scientists have served on the nominating committee and jury, including E.O. Wilson, John Terborgh, Peter Raven, and Stuart Pimm. New nominating committee and jury members are chosen each two-year prize cycle.
The Eli Lilly and Company Foundation provides funding for the prize. In addition to the US$250,000 award, the winner also receives the Lilly Medal. The obverse of the Lilly Medal features a shepherd surrounded by nature and the rising sun. On the reverse is inscribed a quote from naturalist John Muir, "When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe."

Indianapolis Prize Gala

The winner and finalists are celebrated at the Indianapolis Prize Gala held in downtown Indianapolis. It is designed to inspire guests to care more about animal conservation and place these dedicated heroes on the pedestal usually reserved for sports and entertainment stars.

Jane Alexander Global Wildlife Ambassador Award

Additionally, the Indianapolis Prize created the Jane Alexander Global Wildlife Ambassador Award to recognize advocacy, outreach, and contributions of public figures who use their platform to support the natural world. The award is named in honor of actor and conservationist Jane Alexander, winners of the Ambassador award lend a credible public voice for the sustainability of wildlife.
The inaugural Jane Alexander Global Wildlife Ambassador Award was presented to its namesake in recognition of her decades-long commitment as a voice and champion for species. She has been involved with the Wildlife Conservation Society, the Audubon Society, and Panthera. 2016 Winner Sigourney Weaver has been an advocate for the mountain gorillas of Rwanda since her starring role in the 1988 film Gorillas in the Mist and serves as honorary chair of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International. In 2018, Harrison Ford received the honor for his support of Conservation International, where he is on the Executive Committee and active in the organization's design and growth. He gave voice to Nature is Speaking film, The Ocean, and helped secure the protection of more than on three continents as part of the Global Conservation Fund.

Indianapolis Prize winners

Indianapolis Prize finalists

YearFinalistAnimals StudiedOrganizationSources
2006Holly Dublinendangered speciesInternational Union for the Conservation of Nature
2006Iain Douglas-HamiltonAfrican elephantsSave the Elephants
2006L. David MechwolvesInternational Wolf Foundation
2006Roger PaynewhalesOcean Alliance
2006Simon StuartamphibiansAmphibian Survival Alliance
2008Iain Douglas-HamiltonAfrican elephantsSave the Elephants
2008Rodney Jacksonsnow leopardsSnow Leopard Conservancy
2008K. Ullas KaranthtigersWildlife Conservation Society
2008Laurie MarkercheetahsCheetah Conservation Fund
2008Roger PaynewhalesOcean Alliance
2010Gerardo Ceballosjaguars, black-footed ferretsInstitute of Ecology, National Autonomous University of Mexico
2010Rodney Jacksonsnow leopardsSnow Leopard Conservancy
2010Laurie MarkercheetahsCheetah Conservation Fund
2010Carl Safinamarine species, orcas, wolves, elephantsThe Safina Center
2010Amanda VincentseahorsesProject Seahorse
2012Markus BornerAfrican species, rhinosFrankfurt Zoological Society
2012Rodney Jacksonsnow leopardsSnow Leopard Conservancy
2012Carl Jonesbirds, reptilesDurrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Mauritian Wildlife Foundation
2012Russ Mittermeierprimates, turtles, tortoises, biodiversity hotspotsGlobal Wildlife Conservation
2012Patricia WrightlemursCentre ValBio
2014Joel Bergermuskox, huemulWildlife Conservation Society
2014Gerardo Ceballosjaguars, black-footed ferretsInstitute of Ecology, National Autonomous University of Mexico
2014Carl Jonesbirds, reptilesDurrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Mauritian Wildlife Foundation
2014Russ Mittermeierprimates, turtles, tortoises, biodiversity hotspotsGlobal Wildlife Conservation
2014Carl Safinamarine species, orcas, wolves, elephantsThe Safina Center
2016Joel Bergermuskox, huemulWildlife Conservation Society
2016P. Dee BoersmapenguinsEcosystem Sentinels
2016Rodney Jacksonsnow leopardsSnow Leopard Conservancy
2016Carl Safinamarine species, orcas, wolves, elephantsThe Safina Center
2016Amanda VincentseahorsesProject Seahorse
2018Joel Bergermuskox, huemulWildlife Conservation Society
2018P. Dee BoersmapenguinsEcosystem Sentinels
2018Sylvia Earlemarine speciesMission Blue
2018Rodney Jacksonsnow leopardsSnow Leopard Conservancy
2018Carl Safinamarine species, orcas, wolves, elephantsThe Safina Center
2020P. Dee BoersmapenguinsEcosystem Sentinels
2020Christophe BoeschchimpanzeesWild Chimpanzee Foundation
2020Gerardo Ceballosjaguars, black-footed ferretsInstitute of Ecology, National Autonomous University of Mexico
2020Sylvia Earlemarine speciesMission Blue
2020John Robinsonterrestrial speciesWildlife Conservation Society