Page 42 - Impact Report_2019 PDF

Conservation
Leadership
Awards
The annual Conservation Leadership Awards Dinner is hosted
by the Chicago Zoological Society Board of Trustees and the
Women's Board. Each year, we celebrate the achievements of
those who lead the charge in animal advocacy and welfare and
share our mission to inspire conservation leadership by engaging establish a sustainable population of white-bellied tree pangolins
people and communities with wildlife and nature. On Tuesday,
October 15th, we honored the 2019 recipients.
George B. Rabb Conservation Medal • Dr. Colleen Begg,
Co-Founder & Managing Director of the Niassa Lion Project
Dr. Colleen Begg was awarded the George B. Rabb Conser-
vation Medal in recognition of her work to conserve and protect
lions and other carnivores in Mozambique. Dr. Begg leads and
mentors a diverse team of more than 100 Mozambicans from a
wide variety of social and educational backgrounds. The medal
honors the legacy of the late George Rabb, Ph.D., who was
president emeritus of the Society and a worldwide leader in
animal welfare and conservation.
Corwith Hamill Lifetime Achievement Conservation Award •
Barbara Levy Kipper
Barbara Levy Kipper was celebrated for her work as a
dedicated conservationist and her support of a number of field
programs in Africa. A Chicago Zoological Society Trustee since
40 CHICAGO ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY | 2019 IMPACT REPORT
(Far left): Chicago Zoological Society Vice Chair Bert Getz, Jr. presents
the George B. Rabb Conservation Medal to Dr. Colleen Begg,
co-founder and managing director of the Niassa Lion Project.
(Near left): Chicago Zoological Society Trustee Barbara Levy Kipper
accepts the Corwith Hamill Lifetime Achievement Award from
Dr. Stuart Strahl, President & CEO.
(Above): Jerry Adelmann presents the Edith Rockefeller McCormick
Partnership Award to Charlie Knowles, president and co-founder
of the Wildlife Conservation Network; and to Dr. Mark Penning,
vice president of Animals, Science and Environment for Disney Parks,
Experiences and Products (above, right).
2007, Kipper was instrumental in raising public awareness
about pangolins—the world’s most trafficked mammal—
and supported efforts to bring pangolins to Brookfield Zoo.
Her work helped CZS become a leader of worldwide efforts to
under professional care. Observations of these pangolins has
led to a better understanding of their behavior and physiology,
which can be used to support field conservation efforts.
Edith Rockefeller McCormick Partnership Award •
Disney Conservation Fund & Wildlife Conservation Network
Two organizations were honored in 2019. The Disney
Conservation Fund was recognized for its work in emission
reduction, waste diversion, and water conservation. Since 1995,
the organization has also directed more than $75 million to save
wildlife and protect the planet, and to inspire millions of people
to take action for nature in their communities. Dr. Mark
Penning, vice president of Animals, Science and Environment for
Disney Parks, accepted the award on the organization’s behalf.
The Wildlife Conservation Network was honored for
protecting endangered species by supporting entrepreneurial
conservationists find strategies for wildlife and people to co-exist
and thrive. Charles Knowles, president and co-founder of the
Wildlife Conservation Network, accepted the award.