The Tusk (www.Tusk.org) Conservation Awards, in partnership with NinetyOne and in conjunction with HRH The Prince of Wales, are an annual celebration of African conservation leaders, wildlife rangers, and their significant impacts in the field.

For the last decade, the Tusk Conservation Awards have served to celebrate the achievements of extraordinary people whose work protecting Africa’s unique natural heritage might otherwise go unnoticed.

The 2022 Tusk Conservation Awards saw the recognition of 5 outstanding conservationists from Mozambique, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia and Uganda. To date, 55 conservationists from 18 African countries have been recognised. 

The awards come at a critical time for conservation. Despite major global biodiversity summits taking place and positioning the future of Africa’s wildlife at the centre stage of governmental talks, we believe that we can help ecosystems resist and recover from the impact of climate change more effectively if we provide local people and organisations with the appropriate resources and recognition.

Nominations are now open at: https://bit.ly/3wo5rOP. Our judges are looking for dedicated, forward-thinking individuals at different career stages with demonstrable impact, whose work has the potential to be replicated across the continent.

Alumni of the awards manage some of Africa’s largest conservation areas and are driving progress across the field with their expertise and passion for nature.

Becoming exposed to global media opportunities, finalists and winners will see their profiles raised, maximising the impact of their ground-breaking work.

2022 winner of the Prince William Award for Conservation in Africa, Achilles Byaruhanga shared: “The natural world is one of Africa’s largest and most important resources and it is something we must continue to protect, in the face of any adversaries or challenges. Preserving our wildlife is not only for ourselves now, but for the benefit of generations to come.”

Commenting on the Tusk Conservation Awards, Tusk Trustee and Awards Judge Beatrice Karanja, said: “Empowering local people and championing the importance of their conservation efforts is vital to ensure that these field-leaders are well positioned to address the threats that endanger Africa’s wildlife. Through the Tusk Conservation Awards and thanks to our leading sponsors, we are able to provide this support encouraging African leadership and accelerating progress in the field of conservation.”

Award categories include:

Prince William Award for Conservation in Africa sponsored by NinetyOne, a lifetime achievement award, which recognises outstanding dedication and exceptional continued contribution to conservation in Africa. Previous winners include Ian Craig and Achilles Byaruhanga.

Tusk Award for Conservation in Africa sponsored by Land Rover Defender, an award for an individual judged to be emerging as a leading conservationist, in recognition of their outstanding contribution to conservation and considerable success shown in their chosen field.

Tusk Wildlife Ranger Award sponsored by the Nick Maughan Foundation (NMF), an award to recognise the dedication and commitment of an individual who works in the field on a daily basis to protect Africa’s wildlife.

Nominations close on the 6 April 2023. Judging will take place in late April/early May with the announcements on finalists and winners taking place from July, followed by the Awards ceremony in November 2023.