Everlands Conservation Prize

By: Destination Club News
Date: November 15, 2008

"It is the intention of the Everlands Conservation Initiative to award an initial Conservation Prize of $500,000 in May 2009, $1 million in 2010, and an ultimate goal of awarding $1 million prizes for each of six global realms: Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, North America, and Oceania (including Antarctica, Australia/Pacific Islands)."

The hallmark award for Everlands, a destination club built largely around a global focus of conservation, the Everlands Conservation Award was designed by Zaha Hadid, an Iraqi-British deconstructionist architect. Hadid was ranked number 69 on Forbes list of "The World's 100 Most Powerful Women" this year, and is widely known for her work in France, Italy, and Hong Kong.

The first annual award will be bestowed in May of 2009 after the club reviews nominations, due before January 13, 2009. The evaluation process will consider:

• Nominee's recent conservation achievements and impact,
• Level of community involvement and collaboration,
• Ability of nominee's efforts to inspire others,
• Level of innovation and conservation entrepreneurship demonstrated, and
• Ability of nominee's effort to be replicable and sustainable

The latter two will have the most weight placed upon them as Everlands strives to award innovation that can readily be duplicated without significant financial support.

Nominees must be nominated by third party sponsors, with priority given to private citizens over scientific, academic, and governmental activities.

The final plans for the award ceremony have yet to be finalized, but tentative plans are to introduce finalists and their efforts to the media and create a growing community of like minded individuals to move the Initiative forward.

A pillar to Everlands' model, many other destination clubs have philanthropic initiatives in place as well, including Quintess and the new Abercrombie & Kent Residence Club.