| A Messsage from Michael I. Crowther, President & CEO, Indianapolis Zoo
 The 2012 Indianapolis Prize Gala was, by all accounts, a great success. I never tire of hearing people from the East and West Coasts talk about how Indianapolis really knows how to put on a world-class event!
In case you weren’t able to make it, the Indianapolis Star has a pretty comprehensive photo gallery of the evening here. The photo on the left is of our co-hosts for the Gala, conservationist and television presenter Saba Douglas-Hamilton and actor John Duhamel. The evening had many highlights, including the awarding of the first ever Jane Alexander Global Wildlife Ambassador Award to - Jane Alexander herself! All six finalists were honored at the Gala, and the Lilly Medal was presented to our 2012 recipient, Dr. Steven Amstrup of Polar Bears International. We’ve been surprised by one thing: many, many people have approached us or emailed us asking what specifically they can do to help. So instead of coming up with my own list, I asked the Winner and Finalists, and here’s their “wish list”:
Go out to the wild places! If you can swing an African safari, a Madagascar expedition, or a trip to Churchill, Manitoba, to see the polar bears, do it! It helps the local economies and supports ecotourism programs as viable economic engines. And it will change your relationship forever with wild places and wild things. If the more exotic locations aren’t your style, visit some of the more local or regional parks, forests, and wetlands. There’s magic close to home, too! Help schools (or families) connect with specific animals, conservation projects, or conservation organizations. Many of those organizations can help with curriculum materials and often offer animal “adoption” programs that kids seem to love. Think about growing some of your own food, or focusing your shopping on locally-sourced groceries. Learn whether political candidates support sustainability initiatives and then vote according to what you learn. Drive less! Combine trips whenever possible. Find other ways to reduce your personal carbon footprint. Check Seafood Watch’s list of sustainable fish before you buy: Seafood Search. Organize small dinner events at your home to tell the story of a specific conservationist or project to your guests.  Support our Winner and Finalists!
Tell the story! Tell others that some of the most dedicated, amazing scientists in the world are actually achieving victories in their quest to ensure a future world that our children and grandchildren would choose to live in, as opposed to leaving them with one they are forced to endure.
Thanks. We’re changing the world from right here in Indianapolis, and we need you on our team!
Polar bear photo by Daniel J. Cox, Polar Bears International
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