Taking place on 10 October 2025, 19:00–21:00, the ceremony will highlight three distinguished honours: the Fred Packard Award for outstanding service to protected areas, the Kenton R. Miller Award for innovation in sustainability, governance and management, and the Kathy MacKinnon Award (formerly Chair Award) for exceptional leadership within WCPA.
As the leading global network of Protected and Conserved Areas professionals in the world, WCPA recognizes individuals and organizations for their dedication and achievements to conservation. WCPA offers five awards:
Kenton R. Miller Award for Innovation in National Parks and Protected Area Sustainability
The Kenton Miller Award recognises individuals who have clearly demonstrated innovation in relation to protected areas. Specifically, it honours persons who have developed and applied innovative policies, scientific knowledge, technologies, field practice or governance that hold promise to significantly increase the potential for sustainability of protected areas with demonstrable impact at local, national, or international levels. The Kenton Miller Award comes with a US $5,000 cash prize.
Fred Packard Award: Outstanding Service to Protected Areas
The Fred Packard Award is named for the individual who served as Secretary to the Commission in the early years during the early 1970's when the Commission was new.
The Fred Packard Award is now presented by WCPA to individuals or groups to recognize outstanding service to protected areas. The award includes a certificate and global recognition.
IUCN WCPA International Ranger Award
This award recognises the remarkable work of rangers in protected areas around the world. Hosted by the IUCN and the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas, in collaboration with the International Ranger Federation, Re:wild, Conservation Allies, and WWF Tigers Alive Initiative, these awards are intended to improve rangers’ capabilities, raise awareness about the critical role they play in conservation efforts, and help share rangers’ unique stories and perspectives. Winners of the IUCN WCPA International Ranger Award receive a unique uniform patch along with a US$10,000 for their associated organisation to support their work.
Pathfinder Award for innovation in nature conservation
The Pathfinder Award is designed to recognise outstanding solutions for protected and conserved areas developed and implemented by individuals, organisations or groups.
UNDP and IUCN have partnered to highlight these success stories and ensure that these solutions received global attention and recognition. The award is also supported by the contributions of several partners and funders through projects that are helping to identify and communicate biodiversity conservation solutions.
Formerly known as the WCPA Chair Award, the Kathy MacKinnon Award is named in honour of Dr. Kathy MacKinnon, Chair of IUCN WCPA from 2015 to 2021. A passionate champion of protected and conserved areas and Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs), she was an influential leader in global conservation. This award recognises WCPA members who have provided exceptional leadership and dedicated service to the Commission.