Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy (AFC) will honor five exceptional environmental leaders at its second-annual Urban Conservation Awards on Sept. 18 at the Autry Museum of the American West, celebrating their work to protect the natural world.

As open spaces disappear and the pressures intensify of development, extreme heat and wildfires, those that share our habitat face growing challenges of survival. Protecting and reconnecting natural habitats gives plants and animals the space they need to move, adapt and thrive. This work is vital to building resilience in a changing climate and preserving the biodiversity that makes Southern California so unique.

The Urban Conservation Awards recognizes efforts that embody AFC’s mission to conserve and connect open spaces, restore native habitat and educate people of all ages about the nature that surrounds them.

“Conservation happens in many different ways and we need action at all scales to protect nature here in Southern California,” said John Howell, CEO of AFC. “This year’s honorees are advancing scientific research, performing on the ground habitat restoration, preserving cultural knowledge, advocating for wildlife and inspiring our communities. We are proud to lift up their work and celebrate the creativity, perseverance, and passion they bring to urban conservation.”

  This year’s honorees are:

• President’s Award: Beth Pratt, conservation leader and author, selected by AFC’s board of directors in recognition of her instrumental role in the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing and her advocacy for wildlife across California.
• Monarch Award: Tina Orduno Calderon, culture bearer and land and water protector, for connecting community members to the natural world through education and storytelling.
• Wild Voices Award: Travis Longcore, senior associate director and an adjunct professor at the UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, for advancing our understanding of urban ecology and light pollution through scientific research.
• Sunrise Award: Nina Raj, ecologist and multi-media creative, for protecting local biodiversity through her founding and operation of Altadena Seed Library.
• Oak Leaf Award: Mickey Long, ecologist and educator, in honor of a lifetime spent studying and protecting the natural world and advancing the work of regional conservation organizations.

The honorees will be celebrated alongside the winners of AFC’s 2026 Nature Photography Contest. The evening will bring the community together in celebration of people, ideas and actions shaping the future of urban conservation. There will be a silent auction of nature photography, educational displays and a program highlighting the work of this year’s recipients.

The event is on Friday, Sept. 18 from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Autry Museum of the American West, Griffith Park, 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles. 

Tickets and more information are available at https://arroyosfoothills.org/get-involved/urban-conservation-awards/.