Arts & Entertainment
Harrison Ford Will Receive Conservation Award at Field Museum’s Half-Earth Day in October
Harrison Ford will receive a conservation leadership award during Half-Earth Day, co-hosted by the Field Museum on Oct. 29. (Courtesy of the Field Museum)
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Harrison Ford is one of the most famous people on the planet. David Willard has spent a career and his retirement cataloguing dead birds. Both will be recognized as conservation superstars during the upcoming Half-Earth Day event scheduled for the end of October at the Field Museum.
Now in its ninth year, Half-Earth Day — founded and co-hosted by the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation — brings together people from around the world to share ideas on how to achieve the “moonshot” goal of protecting half the earth’s land and sea to preserve biodiversity.
Ford and Willard will receive awards from the foundation during an evening reception Oct. 29, following a day of presentations at the Field that are free and open to the public. In-person and virtual attendance options are available with registration.
The Chicago-born Ford scarcely needs an introduction, having been a household name since the 1970s. At the same time, he’s championed conservation and environmental causes for more than 30 years. It’s the latter role that’s earned him the E.O. Wilson Legacy Award for Transformative Conservation Leadership.
Willard may not have the same public profile, but many Chicagoans will be familiar with the ornithologist’s work. He’s being honored with the Field’s prestigious Parker/Gentry Award, which recognizes efforts that have had a significant impact on preserving the world’s natural heritage.
A former collections manager at the Field Museum and now an adjunct curator there, Willard spent decades documenting bird collisions in Chicago, particularly at McCormick Place’s Lakeside Center. His work led to the city’s Lights Out program during bird migration seasons and ultimately provided the data needed to convince McCormick Place to install bird-friendly film on its glass windows.
“His dedication has advanced science and has directly saved countless birds’ lives in Chicago,” said Erin Hagen, senior director at the Keller Science Action Center at the Field Museum.
There are limited $15 tickets available to the public to attend the Half-Earth Day awards reception.
Contact Patty Wetli: [email protected]
