The National Geographic Society has named Iroro Tanshi and Mauricio Hoyos Padilla as the 2026 recipients of the National Geographic/Buffett Awards for Leadership in Conservation. This honor recognizes their exceptional dedication to protecting endangered wildlife, restoring critical habitats, and inspiring public action to defend at-risk species.
Conservation Efforts in West Africa
Tanshi, a Nigerian ecologist and conservationist, leads efforts to protect threatened bat species and small mammals across West Africa. Together with Hoyos Padilla, who focuses on the eastern Pacific Ocean, they spearhead groundbreaking research to strengthen conservation efforts and mobilize communities to implement evidence-based solutions to reverse species decline.
Background of the Award
Established in partnership with the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, the awards recognize two changemakers from Africa and Latin America who demonstrate exceptional commitment to biodiversity protection. They serve as role models and mentors to aspiring conservationists and promote environmental stewardship within their communities and globally.
Ian Miller, the Society's Chief Science and Innovation Officer, praised the recipients: "Because of Iroro and Mauricio's decades of courageous leadership, the world's most biodiverse regions and vulnerable wildlife are more resilient for generations to come. Their heroic fieldwork is a testament to the power of curiosity and collaboration to illuminate new paths forward for conservation despite the global challenges we face."
Tanshi's Achievements
Tanshi's passion for conservation stems from her deep curiosity about the natural world, particularly Afrotropical bats and small mammals. She rediscovered the short-tailed roundleaf bat after a 45-year absence and established Nigeria's first national bat database to support future research. As co-founder of the Small Mammal Conservation Organisation (SMACON), she combines scientific research, community engagement, and habitat protection to safeguard endangered bat populations from threats such as wildfires, habitat loss, and cave disturbances.
Over the past decade, Tanshi has strengthened research capacity in Nigeria by mentoring local scientists and conservationists while partnering with communities to establish long-term conservation strategies. One notable initiative is the Zero Wildfire Campaign, which empowers local farming communities to prevent dry-season fires at critical bat roosting sites.
"I am deeply honored by this recognition and hope it inspires greater support and capacity for species conservation across West Africa," Tanshi said. "The more we champion evidence-based, community-led solutions in our fieldwork, the closer we are to achieving a sustainable future for humans and mammals alike. Bats, in particular, play an essential role in maintaining healthy ecosystems, from pollination to pest control. By safeguarding these threatened species, we can preserve the rich biodiversity that sustains our livelihoods and the health of our planet."
Goldman Environmental Prize
Tanshi was also recently named among the six recipients of the 2026 Goldman Environmental Prize by the Goldman Environmental Foundation. Awarded yearly to environmental heroes from each of the world's six primary regions, the prize recognizes grassroots environmental activists worldwide and inspires collective action to protect the planet. Founded in 1989 by philanthropists Rhoda and Richard Goldman, the award has had a significant global impact over the past 37 years.
After rediscovering the endangered short-tailed roundleaf bat in Nigeria, Tanshi identified human-induced wildfires as the main threat to the species and launched a successful, community-led campaign to protect its refuge, the Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary. Between early 2022 and May 2025, she and her community fire brigades prevented any serious wildfires from occurring in and around the sanctuary by patrolling thousands of farms and effectively responding to more than 70 fire outbreaks, safeguarding communities, forests, and the bat's fragile habitat.
To date, the Goldman Environmental Prize has honored 239 recipients, including 112 women from 98 countries. Many winners have gone on to serve as government officials, heads of state, NGO leaders, and Nobel Prize laureates.
