Jun 15, 2012

Maasai: Champions of the Earth Announced


The Champions of the Earth 2012 Award recognizes outstanding visionaries and leaders in the fields of policy, science, entrepreneurship, and civil society action.

Below is an article published by The Star

Kenyan Maasai conservationist, Samson Parashina was on June 4 [2012], named the United Nation’s Champions of the Earth 2012. Parashina’s nomination was by Hulk actor Edward Norton, who serves on the board of Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust and is the UN’s Goodwill Ambassador for Biodiversity.

In his recommendation, he said, “He’s one of my heroes and I’m in this role to celebrate people like him. The work he has achieved is nothing short of inspirational and a truly authentic example of an indigenous community addressing the sustainability question within the context of deep commitment to traditional cultural values.”

Parashina was among the six winners of the award who include high profile personalities like Mongolia’s President Tsakhia Elbegdorj, Brazilian banker Fábio C. Barbosa, renewable energy entrepreneur Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, renowned Swiss aeronaut Dr. Bertrand Piccard and Dutch Scientist Dr. Sander van der Leeuw.

Parashina, whose Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust takes a grassroots approach to conservation in Kenya, said the award “energised” him to push on with his work.

Champions of the Earth, which was launched in 2005, is the UN’s flagship environmental award and has since its inception recognised 51 individuals and organisations for their leadership, vision, inspiration and action on the environment.