Jane Fonda Honored with Audubon’s Rachel Carson Award for Fearless Climate Activism

NEW YORK (May 7, 2025) – The National Audubon Society honored award-winning actor and renowned activist Jane Fonda with the Rachel Carson Award at the Women in Conservation Luncheon yesterday for her influential work drawing attention to climate change. Fonda joins an illustrious sisterhood of environmental heroines—including Sigourney Weaver, Isabella Rossellini, Bette Midler, Sylvia Earle, and Gina McCarthy—who have used their voices and platforms to spark lasting change. The Rachel Carson Award honors women who lead with vision, courage, and a deep sense of responsibility to the planet, empowering future environmental champions along the way.

“At Audubon, we believe in the power of individuals to drive meaningful change—and Jane Fonda is a remarkable example of that,” said Dr. Elizabeth Gray, CEO of the National Audubon Society. “For decades, she has led with purpose and persistence, championing the kind of environmental progress Audubon is working to advance every day. We are proud to honor her with the 2025 Rachel Carson Award and to celebrate her enduring impact on the planet and the generations she continues to inspire.”

Established in 2004 by Allison Whipple Rockefeller, Audubon’s Rachel Carson Award is one of the nation’s most prestigious awards for female environmentalists. It bears the name of the marine biologist and trailblazing author of Silent Spring whose research and writing helped spark the modern environmental movement. In the more than two decades since the award’s inception, honorees have included scientists, journalists, policymakers, and activists who embody Carson’s legacy, broaden our understanding of the natural world, and inspire the next generation to pursue careers in advocacy and conservation. 

“It’s a profound honor to receive an award that bears Rachel Carson’s name,” said Fonda. “She opened our eyes to the delicate balance of life on Earth. Now, more than six decades later, we face a climate crisis that touches every part of our lives. The work Audubon is doing—protecting birds and the habitats they need today and tomorrow—is more vital than ever. There are already 3 billion fewer birds in North America than there were in 1970. We don’t have time to wait.”

The 2025 Women in Conservation Luncheon was held at the Rainbow Room in Manhattan. Proceeds from the Audubon Women in Conservation luncheon support Audubon’s vital work, including the Long Island Sound and Coastal Stewardship Program and the Audubon Women in Conservation Internship.

About Jane Fonda 
Jane Fonda is a two-time Academy Award-winning actor (Best Actress in 1971 for Klute and in 1978 for Coming Home), producer, author, activist, and fitness guru. Her career has spanned over 50 years, accumulating a body of film work that includes more than 50 films and significant contributions to political causes such as women’s rights, Native Americans' rights, and environmental protection. She is a seven-time Golden Globe® winner and was honored with the Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2021. She accepted The Harry Belafonte Voices for Social Justice Award at the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival. In April of 2024, Fonda accepted the TIME Magazine Earth Award. She also recently received the SAG Life Achievement Award in February 2025.

About Audubon 
The National Audubon Society is a leading nonprofit conservation organization with 120 years of science-based, community-driven impact, dedicated to protecting birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Birds are powerful indicators of our planet’s health, acting as sentinels that warn us of environmental change and inspire action. Audubon works across the Western Hemisphere, driven by the understanding that what is good for birds is good for the planet. Through a collaborative, bipartisan approach across habitats, borders, and the political spectrum, Audubon drives meaningful and lasting conservation outcomes. With 800 staff and over 1.9 million supporters, Audubon is a dynamic and ever-growing force committed to ensuring a better planet for both birds and people for generations to come. For more information visit www.audubon.org.