Rainforest Trust is excited to congratulate the DeHaan Finalists for the 2025 Indianapolis Prize for major victories in conservation, especially those partners of Rainforest Trust: Lee James Taylor White, Ph.D. (Institute for Tropical Ecology Research), Lisa Dabek, Ph.D. (Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program), Alberto Alves Campos (University of British Columbia).

The Indianapolis Prize, one of the world’s top awards for animal conservation, named six distinguished conservationists as DeHaan Finalists for the 2025 award. The biennial award recognizes the most successful conservationists who have achieved major victories in saving an animal species or group of species. The finalists will each receive a $50,000 award to continue their conservation efforts.

The six finalists were chosen from a group of 44 nominees because of their significant achievements in saving a species or group of species, the measurable outcomes resulting from their work, the number of years dedicated to conservation, the quality of science applied to their efforts, and a demonstrated spirit of cooperation.

The finalists’ success is a great testament to the investment Rainforest Trust makes in supporting the most committed and effective conservationists around the world. Rainforest Trust’s proven model of conservation works for long-term success, and we’re thrilled that these partners have been recognized for their outstanding achievements.

Rainforest Trust remains confident that the simplest and most cost-effective solution to prevent deforestation is to create legally recognized protected and conserved areas where forests and their species can continue contributing to the health of the global ecosystem. And our solution works: 99% of the forest in our reserves has remained standing post-protection.

Rainforest Trust supports NGOs, Indigenous Peoples, and communities to protect ecosystems in the tropics and subtropics critical to endangered species and climate mitigation. We do this by providing funding and other support to create or expand protected and conserved areas that benefit Species, Climate, and People. Since 1988, Rainforest Trust has helped protect more than 54 million acres of vital habitat across Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific region.