Attenborough will receive the Nierenberg Prize for Science in the Public Interest during a ceremony on Sunday, June 5, at 1 p.m., in front of the Birch Aquarium at Scripps. He will be presented with a bronze medal and $25,000. The award ceremony will be followed by "Discovery and the Camera," a free public presentation from Attenborough. The Nierenberg Prize presentation is free; aquarium admission is not included. Seating and parking for the presentation are limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
"It is a pleasure to award the Nierenberg Prize for Science in the Public Interest to Sir David Attenborough, whose distinguished career spans a half century," said Scripps Director Charles F. Kennel. "The three key words that best describe Attenborough's life's work are: science, public and above all, interest. He has found ways to interest all of us in how Earth's creatures live and by so doing has enriched the lives of all humans."
Attenborough has traveled the world making innovative nature programs for more than 50 years. Shortly after joining BBC in 1952, he began hosting the 10-year-long series, Zoo Quest, which helped establish his career as well as the reputation of BBC's Natural History Unit.
A landmark in television came with 1979's Life on Earth, a series about how life evolved on the planet, which required 1.25 million feet of film and visits to 30 countries. The series was seen by 500 million people worldwide. Many other programs followed, including Life in the Undergrowth, Eastwards with Attenborough, The Living Planet, The Trials of Life, Life in the Freezer, The Private Life of Plants, Attenborough in Paradise, The Life of Birds and The Life of Mammals. He has authore
'"/>
Contact: Dora Dalton
scrippsnews@ucsd.edu
858-534-3624
University of California - San Diego
16-May-2005