2018 SEWE Begins - ACE Conservation Awards

Presenting the Check for the Inaugural ACE award

Ricky Schroder supports conservation

The Inaugural Award for Conservation Excellence (ACE) ceremonies held at the Gaillard Ballroom on Valentine's Day reflected on worldwide efforts on behalf of wildlife and the natural resources they depend on. The idea for the ACE awards came from artist John Banovich of Seattle, and his Banovich Wildscapes Foundation. Banovich was the featured artist at SEWE in 1998 and he agreed that Charleston and SEWE would serve as an ideal host. Congrats to Timothy McClanahan and Nyawira Mouthiga, founders of the Wildlife Conservation Society's coral reef program, for winning the Award for Conservation Excellence and the $100,000 cash prize to further their research.

"The ACE awards crowd included sportsmen, academics, scientists, conservationists and environmentalists," said Banovich. "The nominees are rock stars in the realm of conservation, and they have all moved the needle in their respective fields, so they really deserve this recognition." A team of judges determined the winner. The other finalists were George Archibald, Joel Berger, K. Ullas Karanth and David MacDonald. The U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke was the keynote speaker at the ACE awards.

To view past entries about the start of the SE Wildlife Expo click 2017 - 2016 - 2015 - 2014- 2013 - 2012 - 2009

Anne London, Jim Hart and George Archibald

 To view a past blog about the ACE Basin area of the Lowcountry click on 25th Anniversary 

Emcee Jeff Foxworthy and Jungle Jack Hanna 
mingle with ACE Award guests

Three-toed sloth that Jack Hanna brought to town