Alfred Toepfer Medal 2026: Nominations are now open!
Every year, the EUROPARC Federation awards the prestigious Alfred Toepfer Medal. The Medal celebrates an individual who has made a significant contribution to nature protection in Europe. Nominations for the Alfred Toepfer Medal 2026 are now open!
Celebrating Dedication to Nature Protection
The Alfred Toepfer Medal is named after the founder of the EUROPARC Federation. The medal celebrates individuals that have dedicated their (working) life to nature conservation. It awards people who have made a contribution to nature conservation in Europe through an experienced body of work. This should be specifically related to Protected Areas and to sustainable development.
Who can nominate?
Only EUROPARC members can nominate a candidate for the Alfred Toepfer Medal.
Who can be awarded?
The Alfred Toepfer Medal can be considered a ‘lifetime achievement award’. It is given to individuals who have many years of dedication to nature protection under their belt. Nominations are excluded for:
- Active EUROPARC Council members (elected & co-opted);
- Section representatives in a running mandate;
- EUROPARC Directorate staff.
You can find all previous winners of the Award here.
How does it work?
You can nominate your candidate by filling out the nomination form here. The deadline to submit a nomination is the 31st of August 15:00 CEST. After the deadline, the EUROPARC Council will assess all nominations and, based on the information provided, decide on a winner. The winner will be announced during the General Assembly of the EUROPARC Federation on the 6th of October.
The Alfred Toepfer Medal is a great opportunity to put those that dedicate their time to nature conservation in the spotlight. Nominate your candidates now! The EUROPARC Council looks forward to receiving your nominations.
The Alfred Toepfer Medal is made possible thanks to the kind support of the Alfred Toepfer Stiftung.