Awards
The Foundation celebrates these innovative individuals working in craft, earth science, field biology and food.
2026 Awards in Field Biology
Angelo Soto-Centeno
Curator in Charge
Department of Mammalogy, American Museum of Natural History
2026 Awards in Field Biology
Marcelo Araya-Salas
Research Associate
Universidad de Costa Rica
2026 Awards in Field Biology
Noelle Lucey
Assistant Professor
University of Puerto Rico Mayagüez
2026 Awards in Field Biology
Todd Elliott
Independent Researcher
Union Mills, North Carolina, US
2026 Awards in Field Biology
Ummat Somjee
Nomis-Smithsonian Postdoctoral Scholar
Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
2026 Awards in Craft
Hong Hong
Multidisciplinary Artist
Tulsa, Okla.
2026 Awards in Craft
Loretta Pettway Bennett
Gee’s Bend Quilter
Huntsville, Ala.
2026 Awards in Craft
Melissa S. Cody
Weaver
Long Beach, Calif.
2026 Awards in Craft
Paul Andrew Wandless
Ceramist, Sculptor, Printmaker
Chicago, Ill.
2026 Awards in Craft
Roberto Benavidez
Sculptor
Los Angeles, Calif.
2025 Awards in Food
BJ Dennis
Chef
Charleston, S.C.
2025 Awards in Food
Dune Lankard
Founder and President, Native Conservancy
Cordova, Alaska
2025 Awards in Food
Imani Black
Founder and CEO, Minorities in Aquaculture
Chesapeake Bay, Md.
2025 Awards in Food
Maria Gonzalez and Rudy Jimenez
Partners, Green Thumb Farms
San Juan Bautista, Calif.
2025 Awards in Food
Raimundo Espinoza
Executive Director, Conservación ConCiencia
San Juan, Puerto Rico
2025 Awards in Food
Valerie Erwin
Chef and Social Activist
Philadelphia, Pa.
2025 Awards in Field Biology
Anusha Shankar
Assistant Professor
Tata Institute of Fundamental Research
2025 Awards in Field Biology
Fidisoa Rasambainarivo
Assistant Professor, East Carolina University
Greenville, N.C.
2025 Awards in Field Biology
James Stroud
Assistant Professor, Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, Ga.
2025 Awards in Field Biology
Natalia Llopis Monferrer
Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Scholar, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute/Station Biologique de Roscoff
Moss Landing, Calif. and Roscoff, France
2025 Awards in Field Biology
Rachel Malison
Assistant Research Professor, Flathead Lake Biological Station/University of Montana
Polson, Mont.
2025 Awards in Craft
Kevin Aspaas
Weaver
Shiprock, N.M.
2025 Awards in Craft
Neal Thomas
Basket Maker
Wendell, N.C.
2025 Awards in Craft
Robert K. Mills
Visual Artist
Kake, Alaska