Indonesian Suryo Wardhoyo Prawiroatmodjo (1956-2013) was taught to love nature by an aunt who introduced him to Java’s rich biodiversity. He graduated in veterinary science and completed a doctoral thesis on an endangered native bird before working for the Green Indonesia Foundation in West Java.

Suryo quickly learned that education was at the crux of achieving a radical change in ecological attitudes and initiated innovative educational programmes, including Indonesia’s first Environmental Education Centre in East Java, followed by facilities in South Sulawesi, Bali and Papua.

Receiving a Rolex Award in 1990 represented a turning point for Suryo. He felt vindicated in his life’s work to educate his fellow countrymen about the need to conserve their environment.