International Organization Recognizes Colorado State Researcher for Outstanding Achievement in Protected Area Management

George Wallace, professor in the Warner College of Natural Resources at Colorado State University, is being honored by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, IUCN, for his outstanding service in protected area management.

Wallace will be receiving the Fred Packard Award – a key award given by IUCN’s World Commission on Protected Areas. Wallace, along with seven other individuals, will be recognized at the WCPA members meeting on Oct. 4 in Barcelona, Spain.

"This means a great deal to me," Wallace said. "The WCPA and IUCN activities have linked us to the global conservation community and have served to broaden our purpose. This will move us toward new goals with clearer focus. I humbly accept the award. It will serve to motivate efforts to build capacity in protected areas for years to come."

The IUCN chose to honor Wallace because he has devoted his career to capacity building in developing countries for protected areas through his teaching, research, training and leadership.

Wallace is also one of the founders of the Consortium for International Protected Area Management which has supported capacity building for protected area managers in many countries.

"Countries around the world have set aside more than 12 percent of the earth’s land surface as protected areas – a remarkable achievement. Even more remarkable are the efforts of individuals such as George Wallace who have worked tirelessly to promote and protect these unique areas, often at great personal risk and danger," said David Sheppard, head of ICUN Program on Protected Areas.

Wallace’s research focuses on protected area and ecotourism impacts, wilderness management, and public involvement in resource decision making. He is a member of IUCN’s World Commission on Parks and Protected areas.

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