Wild About Wildlife names 2027 conservation honorees

Wild About Wildlife will honor Dr. Denise Herzing and Jennifer Diaz at its Awards Dinner & Gala on Feb. 5, 2027, in West Palm Beach. The recognition spotlights marine research and environmental education as the Palm Beach County initiative launches a new season of events this fall.

Why it matters: - Wild About Wildlife’s annual awards spotlight conservation work that connects Palm Beach County to broader efforts in science, education and habitat stewardship. - The 2027 honorees represent two key fronts of conservation impact: long-term field research and large-scale environmental education.

What happened: - Wild About Wildlife announced Dr. Denise Herzing and Jennifer Diaz as the recipients of its 2027 Conservation Awards. - The organization will formally celebrate both honorees at its Awards Dinner & Gala on Feb. 5, 2027, at The Ben in West Palm Beach. - Dr. Herzing will receive the Conservationist of the Year Award. - Diaz will receive the Next Generation Award.

The details: - Dr. Herzing is the founder and research director of the Wild Dolphin Project. - She has studied a community of wild Atlantic spotted dolphins in the Bahamas for nearly four decades. - Her work is described as one of the most significant long-term studies of marine mammal behavior in the world. - Herzing was a 2008 Guggenheim Fellow and is affiliate faculty at Florida Atlantic University. - Her work has been featured by National Geographic, BBC Wildlife and PBS. - A 2013 TED Talk helped introduce her research to a global audience. - Diaz is vice president of education at The Everglades Foundation. - She has worked at the foundation since 2014. - Diaz built the Everglades Literacy Program into one of the state’s most far-reaching environmental education efforts. - The program is now active across 32 school districts. - The program reaches more than 300,000 students and families each year. - Diaz is a former classroom teacher and NASA Endeavor Fellow. - Wild About Wildlife said the season begins this fall with The Nature Renaissance on Oct. 12. - The event will feature author Richard Louv, whose books helped launch an international movement connecting children, families and communities to nature. - The season concludes Feb. 5, 2027, with the gala at The Ben. - Tickets and event information are available at wildaboutwildlife.org or by emailing wildaboutwildlife@refugeassociation.org.

Between the lines: - The awards reflect Wild About Wildlife’s focus on both scientific discovery and public engagement, two pillars that often determine whether conservation efforts reach beyond expert circles. - Honoring a dolphin researcher and an education leader in the same year signals a broad definition of conservation, one that includes both fieldwork and classroom-based culture change. - The season launch with Richard Louv suggests the organization is pairing fundraising with a larger message about reconnecting people to nature.

What's next: - Wild About Wildlife will open its 2026-27 season this fall with The Nature Renaissance on Oct. 12. - The organization will move toward its Feb. 5, 2027, gala, where Herzing and Diaz will be formally honored. - Additional season events are listed on the organization’s website.