Toronto, Ontario, April 23, 2019 — Nominations are now open for the third-annual $10,000 Glen Davis Conservation Leadership Prize to honour the slain philanthropist and to reward a conservation hero who has made personal financial sacrifices.
About Glen Davis
- Canadian businessman and philanthropist.
- Leading supporter of WWF-Canada’s Endangered Spaces Campaign between 1989-2000, which resulted in the establishment of more than 1,000 new nature reserves, parks and wilderness areas, doubling the amount of protected lands and waters in Canada.
- Strong supporter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS), particularly through its local chapters.
- Slain in Toronto on May 18, 2007 at age 66. Three people, including a cousin of Glen Davis, were convicted in his death.
About the prize
- Established by WWF-Canada and CPAWS, and awarded for the first time on May 18, 2017, the 10th anniversary year of Glen Davis’s death.
- Honours Glen Davis’s nationally significant contribution to Canada, and continue that contribution through worthy individuals who deliver results in the tradition of his legacy.
- Financially rewards the worthy candidate, recognizing that conservation activists often make personal financial sacrifices to do what they do.
The successful candidate will have one of following characteristics:
- Played a key role in bringing — or being on the cusp of bringing — meaningful protections to identifiable land or marine ecosystems in Canada; or
- Led a foundational initiative regarding species or spaces that leaves Canada measurably better off.
- Made demonstrated personal financial sacrifices.
Nominations accepted at wwf.ca/glendavis until 5 p.m. ET Friday May 3, 2019. Winner announced May 21, 2019.
Megan Leslie, president and CEO of WWF-Canada, says:
“Glen Davis dedicated much of his life to preserving Canada’s delicate land and marine ecosystems. As an astute businessman, he inspired us by seeking conservation goals that would result in tangible outcomes. It’s a privilege for WWF-Canada to continue to honour the memory of Glen by recognizing conservation activists who make personal financial sacrifices.”
Alison Ronson, interim national executive director of CPAWS, says:
“Glen Davis was a passionate advocate for and supporter of conservation and the creation of new parks and protected areas. He left a legacy of nature for Canadians, and his memory continues to inspire CPAWS in our work as advocates for wilderness. CPAWS is proud to continue sharing Glen’s legacy with conservationists who are also leaving their mark on Canada’s wild lands and oceans.”
About World Wildlife Fund Canada
WWF-Canada creates solutions to the environmental challenges that matter most for Canadians. We work in places that are unique and ecologically important, so that nature, wildlife and people thrive together. Because we are all wildlife. For more information, visit wwf.ca.
About the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society
The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) is Canada’s only nationwide charity dedicated solely to the protection of our public land, ocean and freshwater, and ensuring our parks and protected areas are managed to protect nature. In the past 56 years, we have played a leading role in protecting over half a million square kilometres – an area bigger than the entire Yukon Territory! Our vision is to protect at least half of Canada’s public land and water in a framework of reconciliation – for the benefit of both wildlife and humans. For more information about CPAWS and the work we do to safeguard Canada’s natural heritage, visit cpaws.org.
For further information
Antonella Lombardi, WWF-Canada communications specialist,
[email protected], +1 647-668-4613
Jennifer Scott, CPAWS National Communications Manager,
jscott@localhost, +1 613-569-7226 x 234