Carol Saunders is a co-founder of the field of conservation psychology, an interdisciplinary approach to the human side of biodiversity preservation defined as the scientific study of the reciprocal relationships of humans and nature with a focus on encouraging conservation. Carol emphasized the seriousness of human impact on the natural world, but also the power and importance of nature’s influence on us. Her foundational work, laying out the framework on conservation psychology and its potential to foster biodiversity, sustainability, and empathy for the natural world. She began her career as a primate specialist at Brookfield Zoo in Brookfield, Illinois, before becoming director of communications research and conservation psychology at the same institution. Following a 20-year career at Brookfield Zoo, Carol accepted a core faculty position at Antioch University New England in Keene.

This award supports costs up to $2,000 for one scholar to participate in a conference in conservation psychology. Faculty and students are both eligible, but nominees must be current members of Division 34.

You will need to submit a short proposal, identifying the conference you would like the award to support, estimate costs, and explain how attendance will allow you to contribute to the field of conservation psychology. Examples include delivering a paper or poster, attending a meeting as a delegate to advocate for something conservation psychology-related, or advocating for a shift in policy on a committee.

Email your nominations along with any questions about the award to the current chair of the Awards Committee at awards@sepcp.org

2026: Tabea Hoffmann and Megan Sprague

2025: Drew Murphy

2024: Anaïs Voşki

2023: Annika Lutz

2022: Kathryn Clemens

2020: Silvia Collado