Goldman Environmental Prize Blog

On October 14, 2012 mayoral elections will be held in Khimki, Russia and Evegenia Chirikova’s name will be on the ballot for a second time. She ran for the same office in 2010, but failed to secure the vote. Her campaign has generated great attention for her efforts to save Khimki Forest from development, and…

The IUCN World Conservation Congress took place earlier this month in Jeju, South Korea. Held every four years, the conference is the world’s largest conservation event and aims to “improve how we manage our natural environment for human, social and economic development.” Igance Schops, the 2008 Goldman Prize winner from Belgium, was in attendance at…

International Rivers, a longtime nominating partner for the Goldman Prize, recently hosted Rendezvous for Rivers, an event ‘to celebrate the power of the people and International River’s work in Africa, Asia and Latin America.’ International Rivers most recently nominated the 2012 Goldman Prize winner from Kenya, Ikal Angelei, for her work to prevent the Gibe…

Caroline Cannon, the 2012 Prize winner from Alaska, recently participated on a panel at Greenpeace’s Polar Emergency event in New York City. The event brought together scientists, journalists and environmental activists to discuss why the Arctic’s ice is melting so quickly and what should be done about it. For Cannon and others in the environmental…

Over the past several weeks, The New York Times and National Geographic Magazine dedicated pages and pages of lengthy articles to the global poaching crisis. While those articles focus mostly on the African elephant and the ‘blood ivory’ trade, poaching of endangered species is on the rise worldwide. With poaching levels at their highest in decades,…

Goldman Prize staff members Lani Alo and Jenny Park had the opportunity to attend Seeds of Resilience: Women Protecting Their Right to Land and Food, an event hosted by Women’s Earth Alliance. The event was held at the David Brower Center in Berkeley, a model of sustainability and home to the Richard and Rhoda Goldman…

Congratulation to 2007 Goldman Prize recipient Orri Vigfusson on receiving the American Museum of Fly Fishing’s 2012 Heritage Award. The annual award honors ‘individuals and organizations whose commitment to the sport of fly fishing and natural resource conservation sets standards to which we all should aspire.’ Vigfusson will be honored at a celebratory dinner on October…

As summer winds down we are spotlighting Prize recipients who know the importance of teaching children about environmental protection. This short video clip features Prize winners interacting with children in their communities through educational and outreach workshops. This back to school season, be sure to talk to your children about protecting the Earth.

As you get ready for your Labor Day weekend vacation (or stay-cation), remember the enormous impact that your travel dollars can have on the local communities you visit. Ecotourism is a growing industry that has big potential for travelers who want to see the world and do a little good at the same time. 2012…

1994 Goldman Prize winner Grand Chief Matthew Coon Come celebrated a victory this month as the Cree Grand Council and the government of Quebec signed a historic agreement that will create a power-sharing governing council and provide millions in funding to the Cree nation. The municipality of James Bay will be replaced by a 22-member…