The Ramsar Wetland Conservation Award honours the work of governments, organisations and individuals in promoting the wise use and conservation of wetlands. The Ramsar Wetland Conservation Award was established in 1996 at the 6th Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention. The Award has been given six times so far on the occasion of Meetings of the Conference of the Contracting Parties. All awardees have also received the Evian Special Prize of US$10,000, donated by the Danone Group.
Awards
2015
The Ramsar Convention Award for Wetland Wise Use: Ms Giselle Hazzan, Manager, Ein Afek nature reserve, Israel
The Ramsar Convention Award for Wetland Innovation: Oceanium, Dakar, Senegal
The Ramsar Convention Award for Young Wetlands Champions: Fundación Humedales Bogotá
The Ramsar Convention Award for Merit: shared by Professor William Mitsch, Professor Gea Jae Joo and Tour du Valat, France
2012
Management category: Ms Augusta Henriques, Secretary General, TINIGUENA
Science category: Professor Tatsuichi Tsujii
Education category: The Wisconsin Wetlands Association
Recognition of Excellence: Thymio Papayannis, Greece
40th Anniversary Honorary Ramsar Award: Dr Luc Hoffmann, Switzerland
2008
Science category: David Pritchard, for supporting the development and implementation of the Ramsar Convention for two decades as a representative of BirdLife International
Management category: Denis Landenbergue, for outstanding achievements regarding the designation of Ramsar sites and other protected areas, with improved management, especially in Asia, Central and South America, and Africa
Education category: Dr Sansanee Choowaew, for her exceptional contributions to wetland management, education, training and capacity building, in Thailand and elsewhere in Asia
Recognition of Excellence: Dr Jan Květ, for his lifetime work and support for wetland science and conservation
2005
Management category: Dr Sh. A. Nezami Baloochi, for his pivotal role in the establishment of a conservation and wise use scheme for the Anzali Lagoon site
* Ms Reiko Nakamura, for promoting wetland conservation as an environmental journalist, and creating the Ramsar Centre Japan in 1990
* The Wetlands Centre, for its pioneering role in the restoration and management of the Hunter Estuary wetlands site, and for forging links with other centres in Australia
2002
Banrock Station Wines, for its innovative approach and imaginative rehabilitation and management practices at the Banrock Station Wetlands site
Chilika Development Authority, for its outstanding achievement in restoring the Chilika Lake site
NGO Trinational Initiative for the Morava-Dyje Floodplain, in recognition of work carried out in three countries to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of the cultural and natural heritage of the floodplains of the Morava and Dyje rivers
Recognition of Excellence: Dr Monique Coulet, for her scientific research andcommitment to making practical use of knowledge acquired in the field
Recognition of Excellence: Dr Max Finlayson, for contributions to both the progress of wetland science and the work of the Ramsar Convention, with particular regard to leadership of the Scientific and Technical Review Panel
1999
Individual category: shared by:
* Professor Vitaly G. Krivenko, for lifetime achievement in working, in difficult circumstances, for wetland and waterbird conservation
* Victor Pulido, recognising a life of dedication to wetland conservation and wise use against a background of social and economic challenge
NGO category: shared by
* Lake Naivasha Riparian Association, a pioneering example of a local community taking the initiative and achieving long-term conservation results with regard to the Lake Naivasha site
* Society for the Protection of Prespa, for its pioneering approach at local, national and international levels towards the sustainable management of the Lake Prespa site
Government/Non-governmental Coalition Category: Pacific Estuary Conservation Program, for excellence in conserving and insuring long-term sustainable use of estuarine habitat along the British Columbian coast
