Dr. Patricia Wright is a renowned anthropologist and primatologist who, after discovering a new species of lemur in 1986, has devoted her life’s work to the conservation of the extraordinary biodiversity endemic to Madagascar.  In 1991, she co-founded Ranomafana National Park, protecting 41,500 hectares of rainforest. She is Founder and Director of Centre ValBio field station, a state-of-the-art research facility employing more than 80 Malagasy staff and focused on the integration of local people in saving the forest, and thus, the lemurs of the forest.  

Her work was highlighted in “Island of Lemurs: Madagascar,” a motion picture narrated by Morgan Freeman. She is author of five books and more than 200 publications, and recipient of three Medals of Honor from the Malagasy government.  Through governmental coups, worldwide pandemics, droughts, and major typhoons, Dr. Wright’s dedication to the biodiversity and the people of Madagascar has never wavered.  She is a true Conservation Warrior.  

Dr. Wright’s early years were spent in Rochester, NY, and it is fitting that the inaugural Conservation Warrior award be bestowed upon arguably the most influential conservationist to come out of the Finger Lakes region.