April 2024 – Parks & Recreation - 16

WE ARE PARKS AND RECREATION
The Pugsley Medal: Celebrating Individuals
Who Advance Parks and Conservation
By Jane H. Adams
T
he Pugsley Medal in Parks and Conservation, established nearly
100 years ago, stands as a prestigious recognition in parks and
conservation. This award, named after Cornelius Amory Pugsley,
a dedicated advocate for public parks, holds immense value in
acknowledging outstanding contributions to the preservation and enhancement
of our natural environments. Pugsley, born in 1850 in Westchester
County, New York, was a banker, federal legislator and vice president of
the Westchester County Park Commission, helping establish it as one of
the first park systems in the United States. His son, Chester D. Pugsley,
created the award to honor his father.
The medal, first
awarded by
the American Scenic and Historic
Preservation Society, was later
transferred to the National Park
Foundation (NPF) in 1985. In the
late 1980s, Conrad Wirth, former
director of the National Park Service,
requested
assistance
from
the
American Academy for Park
AAPRA President Michael McCarty
presents the 2021 Pugsley Medal to
Elizabeth S. Kessler.
Nominations will be accepted for the
2024 Pugsley Medal in Parks and Conservation
from April 9 through June 7. There is
no application fee or membership requirement
to submit a nomination. Visit aapra.
org/Awards/Pugsley-Medal to submit your
nomination.
and Recreation Administration
(AAPRA) in identifying potential
awardees with NPF making the
final determination. In 1996, NPF
requested AAPRA make the final
selections. NPF's contribution
continues to be the striking of the
Pugsley Medal, while AAPRA is
responsible for promotion, selection
and record keeping.
Former recipients of the Pugsley
Medal include Stephen T. Mather,
director and founder of the National
Park Service (1928); Frederick Law
Olmstead Jr., noted landscape architect
(1953); Ralph S. Cryder, director,
Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation
(1992); Fran P. Mainella, director,
Florida State Parks (1998) and
director, the National Park Service
(2007); Anita Gorman, citizen advocate,
Kansas City (Missouri) Parks
and Recreation Commission (2017);
and Daniel Dustin, Ph.D. (2021),
professor, author and advocate for
the healing power of nature, parks
and conservation.
To be considered, the nominee
must have:
* Preserved,
16 Parks & Recreation | APRIL 2 0 2 4 | PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G
facilitated,
enhanced
and/or created park and/or conservation
lands that have significantly
enriched the lives of people
and/or made significant contributions
to maintaining biodiversity
* Developed or refined techniques or
programs that advance the cause
of parks and/or conservation
* Engaged in advocacy, originality,
courageous decision making and
dedication to the public good
* Be living at the time of the nomination
and be a U.S. citizen
* Have no unverified or verified allegations
that would tarnish the reputation
of The Honorable Cornelius
Amory Pugsley Medal on their personal
and/or professional record
Additionally, the medal is awarded
for a life or career-long record
of accomplishments; not a " onetime "
achievement.
The Pugsley Medal contributes
to the elevation of public awareness
regarding the significance of parks
and conservation. " Bestowing the
Pugsley Medal not only celebrates
an individual's lifelong contributions
to parks and conservation and
the positive difference they have
made on the natural world, but also
acts as a compelling call to inspire
a broader community to join in the
vital mission of preserving and nurturing
our environment to create a
vibrant, sustainable and climateresilient
future where people and
nature thrive, " states Elizabeth S.
Kessler, 2021 Pugsley Medal recipient
and 2024 Pugsley Medal chair.
The Pugsley Medal serves as a
PHOTO COURTESY OF CHRISTOPHER A. KESSLER
https://www.aapra.org/Awards/Pugsley-Medal https://www.aapra.org/Awards/Pugsley-Medal
April 2024 – Parks & Recreation

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