Recognizing visionary filmmakers, conservationists, scientists and innovators

Legacy Award

The Jackson Wild Legacy Awards recognize visionary filmmakers, conservationists, scientists and innovators. Past Legacy Award recipients include Jane Goodall, Sir David Attenborough, E.O. Wilson, Alan Rabinowitz and Sylvia Earle.

2024 Legacy Award: Mike Pandey

Sponsored by National Geographic Society

Mike H. Pandey is a globally renowned environmentalist, naturalist, wildlife conservationist, filmmaker, educator, and communicator with over 45 years of dedicated work. He has made significant contributions to wildlife protection and environmental conservation in India. As a three-time Green Oscar winner, Mike is celebrated for his powerful and hard-hitting films that have led to five legislative changes in India, including the protection of whale sharks globally, vultures, horseshoe crabs, and elephants.

He is the presenter of Earth Matters, India's national environmental program, which has reached 800 million people weekly in multiple languages for 18 years. - reaching some of the most remote areas of India and the grassroots level. Pandey is also the Chairman of the Earthwatch Institute India and Earth Matters Foundation. His influence extends beyond filmmaking; he serves as the Brand Ambassador for the Uttar Pradesh Government, promoting eco-tourism, wildlife, and heritage tourism since 2018.

Mike's work has earned him numerous accolades, including the Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Conservation Award, the "Hero of the Environment" title by Time Magazine USA, and over 300 national and international awards. His impactful films and unwavering commitment have made him one of India's most iconic wildlife conservationists, recognized globally for his efforts to protect the planet.

2023 Legacy Award: Victoria Stone and Mark Deeble

2023 Legacy Award: Lisa Samford

Sponsored by The WNET Group’s Nature Series

Victoria Stone and Mark Deeble are the 2023 recipients of the Legacy Award. They are known for their independent story-driven films championing the importance of biodiversity and the interconnectivity of the natural world. For each film, they spend a minimum of 2 years camped in the wilderness with a small team. Their films are based on keen observation, and a deep understanding of natural ecosystems. They have won over 100 international awards in recognition of their artistry and wildlife storytelling including two Grand Teton and 10 content, category and craft awards from Jackson Wild.

Throughout their careers they have used their films to support conservation. Following the launch of The Elephant Queen, a decade-long project and Apple’s first feature film acquisition for Apple TV+, they launched, with long-term Assistant Director Etienne Oliff, The Elephant Queen Outreach and Mobile Cinema and Theatre in Kenya. The film, translated into Swahili and Maa has been shown to over 120,000 people living in areas of high human-wildlife conflict.

The couple began their careers as underwater wildlife filmmakers filming around the world for Survival Anglia, the BBC and National Geographic. In 1987, they were invited to Serengeti by Alan Root. Their first East African film, Here Be Dragons, revealed the dramatic new behavior of giant Grumeti crocodiles leaping from the water to grab drinking wildebeest. Since then, they have worked in East Africa telling wildlife stories that have been shown in more than 140 countries with audiences estimated in excess of a billion. Sir David Attenborough called The Queen of Trees “A masterpiece!” Amongst its many awards are a Peabody and a Grierson. It followed Peabody and Emmy®-winning Mzima to join a filmography which includes Once Upon a Time in Tsavo, The Elephant & the Termite, The Elephant Queen, A Little Fish in Deep Water, Tale of the Tides, The Tides of Kirawira, and Devilfish.

Lisa is being honored with Jackson Wild's 2023 Legacy Award, a testament to her nearly 20 years of visionary leadership and unwavering dedication to the organization. Throughout her tenure, Lisa has played a pivotal role in the growth and evolution of Jackson Wild, fostering a global community of storytellers and conservationists committed to inspiring change through nature and wildlife media. Her innovative initiatives and tireless efforts have not only elevated the organization's impact but also set new standards for excellence in the field. This award recognizes her enduring legacy and the profound influence she has had on the mission and success of Jackson Wild.

Lisa Samford left a career in journalism to become a documentary filmmaker, specializing in difficult and remote expedition projects. She has filmed across five continents on a diverse collection of projects exploring topics ranging from violent crime, espionage, and ethnographic/scientific exploration to intimate portraits of author Wallace Stegner and conservation pioneer Mardy Murie. Joining the ranks of the urban refugee, Samford returned to her native Wyoming to raise her son with paleontologist Wallace Ulrich. Executive Director of the internationally renowned Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival since 2004, Samford holds a BS and MA degrees in Communication. "Lisa is the heart and soul behind Jackson Wild. She truly is Jackson Wild's own dynamo behind-the-scenes — the consistent driving force that continues to move us forward into more impactful programming and partnerships.

Past Legacy Award Recipients