Nominations Open April 9 and Close June 7, 2024
The call to honor an unsung hero, a visionary leader, a protector of our natural realms is now. Nominate them for the prestigious Pugsley Medal in Parks and Conservation.
Annually, the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration collaborates with the National Park Foundation and Davey Expert Tree Inc. to award the Honorable Cornelius Pugsley Medal to individuals who have made substantial contributions to the advancement of parks and conservation. This award is a testament to their dedication and impact in preserving and enhancing our natural spaces.
Originating in 1928 from the vision of Chester D. Pugsley, the Pugsley Medal is a hallmark of excellence in the field of parks and conservation. It recognizes significant achievements in the protection and promotion of natural environments at local, state, or national levels.
The nomination window for the 2024 Pugsley Medal in Parks and Conservation is from April 9, 2024, to June 7, 2024. Eligible nominees encompass committed citizens, policy makers across all government levels, and professionals within the parks or conservation sphere who have shown an unwavering commitment to the safeguarding of parks, open spaces, and conservation initiatives. Nominees should be living U.S. citizens at the time of their nomination.
Awarding the Pugsley Medal elevates public consciousness about the importance of parks and conservation. Elizabeth S. Kessler, the 2021 Pugsley Medal laureate and chair for the 2024 awards, remarks, “The Pugsley Medal not only honors an individual’s enduring contributions to conservation and the significant impact they've made on our natural world but also serves as a powerful motivator, encouraging wider community involvement in the essential work of preserving and enhancing our environment. This fosters a vibrant, sustainable, and climate-resilient future where both people and nature can flourish.”
The 2024 Pugsley Medal will be presented on October 9, 2024, in Atlanta, Georgia, during the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration’s annual awards dinner. This event is in collaboration with the National Recreation and Park Association’s annual conference.
For nomination details and to explore the stories of past Cornelius Amory Pugsley Medal honorees, visit the American Academy for Parks and Recreation Administration’s website here.
Editor's Note: Since its inception in 1928, the Pugsley Medal has been awarded to a distinguished list of recipients who have made significant contributions to the field of public park service and conservation. Among these honorees are notable figures such as Stephen Mather, Frederick Law Olmsted, Freeman Tilden, Laurance Rockefeller, Patrick Noonan, Lamar Alexander, Henry Diamond, and numerous influential leaders from public conservation agencies. This prestigious recognition has also been bestowed upon several key figures within America’s State Parks, including Fran Mainella of Florida, Bernadette Castro of New York, Edward Koenemann of Vermont, William Hopkins of Delaware, William Penn Mott of California, Richard Lieber of Indiana, among others. We encourage active participation in nominating individuals who are making significant impacts in natural resource conservation within America’s State Parks. Let's acknowledge and celebrate those who dedicate themselves to preserving our natural heritage. —LRL
