News Release
 
Contact: Sondra Katzen, Public Relations, 708.688.8351, sondra.katzen@czs.org
 
August 17, 2018
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Chicago Zoological Society to Honor Recipients at 2018 Conservation Leadership Awards Dinner
 
Brookfield, Ill. – The Chicago Zoological Society’s (CZS) Board of Trustees and Women’s Board will host the organization’s 15th annual Conservation Leadership Awards Dinner on Wednesday, October 10, where several recipients will be honored for their collective impact and commitment to conservation and animal welfare. Proceeds will benefit the conservation, education, and animal programs of CZS, which manages Brookfield Zoo. The fund-raising dinner will take place at the Four Seasons Hotel, 120 East Delaware Place in Chicago (located in 900 North Michigan Avenue Shops).

Each year at the dinner, individuals and organizations are recognized for their contributions that are transforming CZS’s vision of how it inspires conservation action, engages in local communities, and restores wildlife populations and people’s connection to nature.

“The Chicago Zoological Society is pleased to award such honors to three individuals and one organization that share our passion for the conservation of our ecosystem and wildlife,” said Dr. Stuart D. Strahl, president and CEO of CZS. “Each recipient is a leader in the conservation community and is committed to teaching the next generation about the work that needs to be done.”

The George B. Rabb Conservation Medal is being presented to Joel Sartore, an award-winning photographer, speaker, author, conservationist, and National Geographic contributor. Sartore documents endangered species and landscapes around world. He is the founder of the National Geographic Photo Ark, a multi-year photo documentary project to help save species and habitats. Once completed, the Photo Ark will serve as an important record of each animal’s existence and a powerful testament to the importance of saving them.

The Corwith Hamill Lifetime Conservation Achievement Award is being presented to Emily and Robert King. They are significant partners of the Chicago Zoological Society, establishing the Society’s King Conservation Science Scholars program, which develops diverse, college- and career-ready teens who are prepared to resolve environmental and technological issues facing our country. The Kings are exemplary leaders, driving establishment of new education, conservation and science initiatives nationally and internationally.

The Edith Rockefeller McCormick Partnership Award will be presented to Openlands. The nonprofit organization is at the forefront of the urban conservation movement in northeastern Illinois and the surrounding region. Since 1963, Openlands has had an emphasis on people, places, and policy – the framework and driving factors of the organization. It has helped protect more than 55,000 acres of land for public parks and forest preserves, wildlife refuges, land and water greenway corridors, urban farms, and community gardens. Accepting the award will be Openlands President and CEO Gerald W. Adelmann.

The evening begins at 6:00 p.m. with a reception, followed by dinner and the awards presentation. Individual tickets are $500. Tables of ten may also be purchased starting at $5,000. For additional information and to make reservations, contact Susan Ahern at (708) 688-8393 or susan.ahern@czs.org.
 
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About the Chicago Zoological Society
The mission of the Chicago Zoological Society is to inspire conservation leadership by engaging people and communities with wildlife and nature. The Chicago Zoological Society is a private nonprofit organization that operates Brookfield Zoo on land owned by the Forest Preserves of Cook County. The Society is known throughout the world for its international role in animal population management and wildlife conservation. Its Center for the Science of Animal Care and Welfare is at the forefront of animal care that strives to discover and implement innovative approaches to zoo animal management. Brookfield Zoo is the first zoo in the world to be awarded the Humane Certified™ certification mark for the care and welfare of its animals, meeting American Humane Association’s rigorous certification standards. Open every day of the year, the zoo is located at 8400 31^stStreet in Brookfield, Illinois, between the Stevenson (I-55) and Eisenhower (I-290) expressways and is also accessible via the Tri-State Tollway (I-294), Metra commuter line, CTA and PACE bus service. For further information, visit CZS.org.