Zoological Society of San Diego's Highest Honor Goes to
Three Conservationists
Dr. Cade was one of a group of scientists searching for reasons why the peregrine falcon was suffering catastrophic population declines in the late 1960s. This group found a link between exposure to DDT, a common pesticide, and the thickness and viability of the falcon's eggshells, a link that was instrumental in exposing environmental causes contributing to species decline. As a professor at Cornell University, he started The Peregrine Fund to develop techniques that could bring the species back from the edge of extinction, including captive breeding, species reintroduction, as well as educating the public to the plight of these birds of prey.
In 1974, Dr. Burnham joined The Peregrine Fund, developing and managing the Fund's western program for peregrine falcon restoration. Three years later, his work earned him a place on the Fund's board of directors and he has been the leader of the organization since 1984, supervising and directing its World Center for Birds of Prey in Boise, Idaho.
The peregrine falcon was one of the first species listed as endangered when the Endangered Species Act came into existence in 1974. In 1999, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officially removed the peregrine falcon from the endangered species list, due in large part to the work of The Peregrine Fund. Since that time the mission of the Fund, and these two men, has expanded to over 24 species of birds of prey and almost a dozen non-raptor species.
Paxson "Packy" H. Offield is another important figure in endangered species conservation. He is a long-time supporter of the conservation work of the Zoological Society of San Diego through the Offield Family Foundation and has supported numerous grants for conservation scientists at the Zoological Society's center for Conservation and Research for Endangered Species (CRES). Mr. Offield also serves on the board of the Santa Catalina Island Conservancy, and has been chairman of the board for The Peregrine Fund while providing financial support for the Fund's conservation of gyrfalcon and peregrine falcon species. He also has supported Bat Conservation International and the USC Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies. His lifelong interest in marine ecology led him to endow the Paxson H. Offield Professor of Fisheries Ecology position at the University of Southern California. Mr. Offield continues to offer financial and advisory support for numerous conservation projects, and his generosity and commitment have helped the Zoological Society achieve vital conservation goals.
The Zoological Society of San Diego's Conservation Medal was first presented in 1966 during the Society's golden anniversary celebration. Since that time, more than 50 medals have been awarded to an impressive international array of conservationists. Past recipients of the Conservation Medal include Jane Goodall, Gilbert M. Grosvenor, H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh, Sir David Attenborough, and E. O. Wilson. The Conservation Medal is awarded annually by the Zoological Society's Board of Trustees to people who have significantly increased knowledge of wildlife habitats, played an active role in endangered species preservation through breeding programs, research, and the establishment of wildlife preserves, or furthered the cause of conservation through financial support, influence, or publicity.
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