Since 1997, Denver Zoo has given out its annual Conservation Award to someone who has made a significant contribution to wildlife conservation for at least 10 years, but who remains largely unrecognized for their work. We see it as an award for the unsung heroes of wildlife conservation. Each recipient receives an award of $5,000 toward the conservation project of her/his choice and a reception in his/her honor, usually in conjunction with Denver Zoo’s Conservation Night event.

President of IDEA WILD, Wally Van Sickle

Denver Zoo selected the founder and president of IDEA WILD, Wally Van Sickle, as its 2011 Denver Zoological Foundation Conservation Award Winner:

Wally Van Sickle, a wildlife biologist and conservationist, became deeply impressed by the importance of ‘front lines’ work being done by biologists in developing nations, who lacked even the most basic research tools. From this inspiration, Wally founded IDEA WILD in 1991, to minimize a worldwide loss of biodiversity by empowering people who work on the front lines of conservation efforts in developing countries. This important organization enables the preservation of some of the world’s greatest ecological treasures.  Since its founding 20 years ago, the organization has aided over 2,500 projects in 82 countries. Through IDEA WILD, Wally aims to build capacity for conservation work by providing researchers, educators, and biologists with the tools and equipment they need to conduct their work. www.ideawild.org

Dr. Patty Cramer surveying wildlife crossing.

“Brian Miller, more than anyone I know, personifies the type of person Denver Zoo’s Conservation Award strives to honor. He has made enormous contributions to conservation and conservation science, yet he takes almost no credit for his accomplishments; instead, Brian usually attributes his ideas and work to others. Brilliant, yet humble. Profound, yet easy going. Persistent, yet patient. Quiet, yet bold. Diligent and hard working, yet calm and relaxed. Always giving, yet never seeking thanks; it is high time that someone demonstrates the gratitude he deserves through this award.” —Richard Reading, Denver Zoo Director of Conservation Biology

In 2009, the award was given to conservationist Dr. Brian Miller. 

Dr. Miller worked in the Department of Conservation Biology as our Conservation Biology Coordinator for seven years from 1997 until 2004.  Dr. Miller received his M.S. from the University of Illinois in 1982 and his Ph.D. from the University of Wyoming in 1998 upon completing his dissertation focused on conservation and behavior of the endangered black-footed ferret. His involvement in conservation and wildlife research has continued with a focus on prairie and Rocky Mountain wildlife. 

Dr. Miller is currently the Conservation and Research Director of the Wind River Ranch Foundation in northern New Mexico. Under his oversight, Wind River Ranch has increased its involvement in wildlife conservation (including work with bison and prairie dogs), offered internships to Native American students, and created education programming for local students.

Wind River Ranch