In 2007, Defenders established four awards to recognize exceptional contributions to wildlife conservation. Tucson-based artist Mark Rossi designed the awards, which are replicas of the dynamic, life-size wolf statues he sculpted in clay and cast in bronze to flank the entrance of Defenders of Wildlife’s national headquarters.
Past Honorees
Spirit of Defenders Award, Public Service
2021 U.S. Sen. Tom Carper
2019 Joel Clement, Ph.D.
2018 Dinah Bear, Esq.
2017 U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich
2016 Donald Barry, Esq.
2015 U.S. Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva
2014 U.S. Rep. James P. Moran, Jr
2013 Nick Wiley
2012 U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin
2010 J. Michael Scott, Ph.D.
2009 U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse
2008 U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks
2007 U.S. Rep. George Miller
Spirit of Defenders Award, Science
2021 Steven Monfort, Ph.D.
2018 Barry R. Noon, Ph.D.
2017 Thomas D. Sisk, Ph.D.
2015 Clait Braun, Ph.D.
2014 Brian Gratwicke, Ph.D.
2013 David Wilcove, Ph.D.
2012 Carlos Carroll, Ph.D.
2010 Terry L. Root, Ph.D.
2009 William J. Ripple, Ph.D.
2008 Thomas E. Lovejoy, Ph.D.
2007 Douglas Smith, Ph.D.
Spirit of Defenders Award, Conservation Advocacy
2019 Marianna Treviño Wright
2018 Brad Stanback
2017 Nathan Varley, Ph.D. and Linda Thurston
2016 Rose Letwin
2015 The Family of Larry Haverfield
2014 The Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes
2013 Nathaniel P. Reed
2012 Elizabeth Kolbert
2010 Joel Sartore
2009 Terry C. Pelster, Esq.
2008 Diana Hadley
2007 Deborah L. Williams
Spirit of Defenders Award, Conservation Partnerships
2021 American Prairie Reserve
2019 Hilary Anderson
Defenders of Wildlife Legacy Award
2021 Carl Safina, Ph.D.
2019 U.S. Sen. Tom Udall
2018 Michael J. Bean, Esq.
2017 Brock Evans, Esq.
2016 Lee M. Talbot, Ph. D.
2015 Mike Finley
2014 Terry Tempest Williams
2013 John Leshy, Esq.
2012 George B. Rabb, Ph.D.
2011 Rodger Schlickeisen, Ph.D.
2010 U.S. Rep. John D. Dingell
2009 Ted Turner
2008 The Honorable Bruce Babbitt
2007 Edward O. Wilson, Ph.D.
