The Rachel Carson Award

Audubon's Rachel Carson Award is the nation's premier award honoring women leaders in the environmental world. Presented annually at the Women in Conservation Luncheon each May, it recognizes women whose immense talent, expertise, and energy greatly advance conservation and the environmental movement locally and globally.

About Rachel Carson

A marine biologist and writer, Rachel Carson published Silent Spring in 1962. Over 40 years later this bestseller is still regarded as the cornerstone of the modern environmental movement. The book documented the dangers of pesticides and herbicides, showing that the use of toxic chemicals in agriculture has dire consequences for wildlife and for human health. Despite an assault from the chemical industry, Carson prevailed. The book spurred revolutionary changes in the laws affecting our air, land and water. Carson was not a born crusader, but with her passion for truth and concern about health and the environment she became one of history's most important environmental advocates, judged by Time Magazine's millennium survey as one of the 100 most influential people of the 20th Century. Sadly, she was only 56 when she died from cancer.

Award Criteria

National Audubon and the Rachel Carson Awards Council seek each year to recognize a small group of women who have made outstanding contributions to the conservation and environmental movement. From local grassroots activists to heads of national organizations, we aim to identify and honor women who have shown extraordinary commitment, energy and passion in working to protect and improve our world. Awardees are drawn from diverse backgrounds, including the worlds of journalism, academics, education, science, entertainment, business, law and philanthropy.

Meet the Awards Council

The Rachel Carson Award itself was crafted and generously donated by Tiffany & Co. Click here to view in more detail.