Welcome to Audubon's Women in Conservation website where you will meet some of the most influential and important women in today's American conservation and environmental world. The immense talent, expertise and energy of these women is changing everything, advancing the goals and meeting the challenges of our ever more important environmental movement.

Women have long played a leading role in the environment. Among the earliest American conservationists was Harriet Hemenway, who in 1896 brought her friends together to defend birds from being slaughtered for their plumes' use in fashion. In doing so, she helped to found the Audubon Society, now over one hundred years old and one of the most effective conservation organizations in the world.

Since 2004, Audubon has recognized women in conservation with the organization's prestigious Rachel Carson Award. Rachel Carson Award winners have been among the most distinguished in their fields and again this year Audubon salutes an outstanding group of leaders.

Meet our 2011 Rachel Carson Award Honorees: