ConservationBytes.com

I’ve just learnt some fantastic news about my good friend and colleague, Professor Bill Laurance of James Cook University.

Bill has the distinction of being named this year’s recipient of the most-prestigious Heineken Prize for Environmental Sciences. Probably only second in prestige to the Crafoord Prize, the Heineken Prize has sent many recipients in the fields of medicine, biochemistry and biophysics on to win Nobel Prizes.

While there is still no Nobel category in ecology, conservation or the environment (there bloody well should be, in my not-so-humble opinion), this is a huge recognition of Bill’s amazing scientific track record, environmental portfolio, advocacy and expertise.

For those of you how might not know about the Heineken Prize for Environmental Sciences, it was started in 1990 by the Alfred Heineken Fondsen Foundation to be awarded biennially to a scientist who has made an outstanding contribution to the environmental sciences. Bill will receive a trophy representing an oak tree and US$150,000 cash.

Previous recipients include:

• 2010 David Tilman, USA
• 2008 B. Brunekreef, The Netherlands
• 2006 S.L. Pimm, USA
• 2004 S.A. Levin, USA
• 2002 L.G. Thompson, USA
• 2000 P. Harremoës†, Denmark
• 1998 P.R. Ehrlich, USA
• 1996 H.E. Daly, USA
• 1994 BirdLife International (Colin J. Bibby), UK
• 1992 M. Branica†, Croatia
• 1990 J.E. Lovelock, UK

My sincerest congratulations to Bill – he is most deserving of the 2012 Prize.

CJA Bradshaw

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†Deceased