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CPAWS

CPAWS Conservation Award

The CPAWS Conservation Award, previously known as the J. B. Harkin Award, honours individuals whose significant or exceptional life-long, or one-time, contribution to conservation is also considered lasting and achieved in a way that respects the sovereignty and leadership of Indigenous nations.

In its 60th anniversary year, CPAWS is launching the newly renamed CPAWS Conservation Award. The first award under the new name will be presented to the 2023 recipient at CPAWS’s 60th anniversary celebration in Ottawa in November.

Learn more about the 2023 relaunch of the CPAWS Conservation Award and CPAWS’ decision to rebrand the J. B. Harkin Award in acknowledgement of Harkin’s history with Indigenous Peoples and in support of reconciliation.

2023 Call for Nominations

Do you know an individual who deserves national recognition for their outstanding lifetime contribution to Canadian conservation? 

Nominate that person for the CPAWS Conservation Award by August 15, 2023.

On the occasion of its 60th anniversary, the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) is relaunching its bi-annual award recognizing the outstanding lifetime contribution of an individual Canadian to the conservation of Canada’s land, freshwater, ocean, and wildlife.

Nomination Criteria

Formerly known as the J.B. Harkin Medal, the newly renamed CPAWS Conservation Award is considered among the oldest and most prestigious conservation prizes in the country. Since 1972, the award has been presented by CPAWS to remarkable people who:

  • reside in Canada;
  • have made a significant or exceptional life-long contribution through words and deeds to the conservation of land, freshwater, ocean, or wildlife across Canada or in any of its regions; or
  • have made a significant one-time contribution to conservation in Canada.

Candidates for the 2023 CPAWS Conservation Award are individuals whose significant or exceptional life-long, or one-time, contribution to conservation is also considered lasting and achieved in a way that respects the sovereignty and leadership of Indigenous nations. Their work may be in one or more of a variety of important conservation areas, such as applying traditional Indigenous guardianship and traditional knowledge to the protection of land and water, preserving the ecological integrity of land and ocean areas, promoting Indigenous protected areas, protecting ecosystems and biodiversity, or public education.

No restrictions apply to the number of times an individual can be nominated, but a person may receive the award only once.

Submit a Nomination by August 15, 2023

If you know of an individual who deserves this award, submit a nomination form before the deadline, along with a letter of reference from a second person supporting your nomination (required).

For any questions, please send an email to awards@cpaws.org.

The 2023 CPAWS Conservation Award will be presented at an event in Ottawa, Ontario in November 2023.

Past Award Recipients

  • 2018, Cliff White
  • 2014, David Henry
  • 2013, Ric Careless, Harvey Locke, and John Marsh
  • 2011, Nikita Lopoukhine
  • 2010, The Panel on Ecological Integrity of Canada’s National Parks (Louis Belanger, Jacques Gerin, Luise Hermanutz, Michael Hughes, Henry Lickers, Thomas Nudds, Juri Peepre, Paul Wilkinson, Stephen Woodley, Pamela Wright)
  • 2008, Bob Peart
  • 2007, Jim Thorsell
  • 2005, J. Gordon Nelson
  • 2003, Mike Harcourt and Derek Thompson
  • 2002, Elizabeth May
  • 2001, Monte Hummel
  • 2000, Diane and Mike McIvor
  • 1999, Stephen Herrero
  • 1998, John Theberge (with special recognition of Mary Theberge)
  • 1997, Cliff Wallis
  • 1996, Ruby Dunstan
  • 1995, J. Stan Rowe
  • 1992, Vernon C. Brink and Jennifer Shay
  • 1990, Andy Russell
  • 1989, Gavin Henderson
  • 1987, Alex T. Davidson
  • 1985, Michael J. Nolan, Charles Sauriol, and George W. Scotter
  • 1981, George F. Ledingham
  • 1978, William Fergus Lothian
  • 1975, Roderick Haig-Brown
  • 1972, Hon. Jean Chrétien

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