Former KWS chief scoops global award

By Peter Orengo

Renowned ecologist and former Kenya Wildlife Service boss David Western has won the prestigious World Ecological Award for his contribution to environmental protection and biodiversity conservation.

Dr Western, who is the founding executive director of the African Conservation Centre (ACC), will receive this year’s award from the Harry World Ecological Centre at the University of Missouri-St Louis.

The award is presented to an eminent individual who has raised public awareness about geology and made significant contributions to environmental protection and biodiversity conservation.

Past recipients

The award comes with cash, a trophy, a certificate and an academic recognition.

Past recipients include Richard Leakey, Harrison Ford, Ted Turner, John Denver, Dr Jane Goodall, Teresa Heinz, Dr Paul Ehrlich, Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland, Dr Peter Raven, Jacques Cousteau and Kathryn Fuller. An elated Western who spoke at a dinner reception organised for him by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) thanked Kenyans for their support towards his conservation efforts.

He will receive the award at a gala dinner in May at the Missouri Botanical Garden.