The E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation has honoured acclaimed actor, environmental advocate, and conservation leader Harrison Ford with the inaugural E.O. Wilson Legacy Award for Transformative Conservation Leadership at Half-Earth Day 2025, at the Field Museum in Chicago.
Named in honor of one of the most influential naturalists of our time, the E.O. Wilson Legacy Award celebrates the extraordinary contributions of individuals who embody E.O. Wilson’s inspirational legacy in conservation science, passion for biodiversity, and action on behalf of all species.
The award reflects E.O. Wilson’s profound conviction that “To strive against odds on behalf of all life would be humanity at its most noble,” and honors those who are working courageously to encourage and inform collective action to safeguard nature.
“Harrison has devoted his time and voice to environmental causes for over 30 years,” said Dr. Paula J. Ehrlich, President and CEO of the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation. “His life is a testimony to the conviction that successful conservation efforts require not only scientific understanding but also the ability to translate complex ecological concepts into compelling public narratives that inspire action and advance enduring conservation policy.”
A lifelong conservation advocate, Ford has served as Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors for Conservation International for over 25 years and has been an outspoken global voice for biodiversity and climate action. His environmental leadership exemplifies the spirit of the E.O. Wilson Legacy Award, bridging science and storytelling to inspire a planet-wide commitment to protect nature.
The bronze award medal, designed by sculptor Heidi Wastweet, symbolizes Wilson’s call to protect Half-Earth. It features a human thumbprint representing humanity’s impact on nature, a great blue heron for wisdom and resilience, and three leaf-cutter ants paying tribute to Wilson’s pioneering research and enduring curiosity about life on Earth.
The award was presented during the Foundation’s Half-Earth Day 2025 celebration, an annual gathering of scientists, conservationists, educators, and leaders advancing the global Half-Earth Project, E.O. Wilson’s vision to protect half the planet for the rest of life.
In accepting the award, Harrison Ford said, “Young people give me hope. They are more fearless, more connected to the Earth, and more capable of changing power than we ever were. We just need to get out of their way — and help them lead us toward a world where people and nature can thrive together.”
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