The world lost many conservationists, Indigenous leaders, and environmentalists in 2024.
Their lives were devoted to safeguarding the planet’s biodiversity, protecting vulnerable communities, and advocating for justice in the face of profound challenges. While each had a unique story, they shared a commitment to the environment, often working on the frontlines of conservation or battling entrenched systems of exploitation.
Not included here are the many brave conservation rangers who lost their lives in the line of duty—unsung heroes whose sacrifices ensure the continued survival of endangered species and ecosystems around the globe.
From towering figures like George Woodwell, who shaped the world’s understanding of climate change, to grassroots advocates like Nancy Wallace, who transformed urban landscapes into green sanctuaries, this list celebrates the extraordinary impact of these individuals. It remembers Ryan Killackey, whose documentary gave voice to the Amazon rainforest and its people, and Tuíre Kayapó, whose fearless leadership became a symbol of Indigenous resistance.
Their legacies remind us of the complexity and urgency of the global environmental crisis. Some, like Sumit Sen and Marian Newman, used science and activism to preserve wildlife; others, like Carlos Andrés Ascué Tumbo and Maria de Fátima Muniz, defended their ancestral lands with their lives.
Environmental stewardship often demands not only expertise and dedication but also immense courage. Their work endures as an inspiration to continue the struggle for a more verdant future.
Of course this is not a complete list. If there are people you feel should be included in this list, let Mongabay know.
Here’s a brief list. See the Mongabay story for the full write-ups.
Rabbi Ellen Bernstein, a pioneering environmentalist and founder of the first national Jewish ecological organization, Shomrei Adamah, passed away on February 27th at the age of 70.Chuck Bieler, a visionary leader who transformed the San Diego Zoo into a global force for wildlife conservation, died on December 12th at the age of 84.Joseph Bodovitz, a trailblazer in environmental regulation who shaped California’s coastal and bay conservation policies, passed away on March 9th at the age of 93.Christophe Boesch, a renowned primatologist whose groundbreaking research on chimpanzee cultures in West Africa advanced primate conservation, died on January 14th at the age of 72.David Bonderman, a private equity titan and philanthropist who channeled his wealth into wildlife conservation and anti-poaching efforts, died on December 11th at the age of 82.Albert K. Butzel, a lawyer who safeguarded the Hudson River’s integrity and set legal precedents in environmental law, died on January 26th at the age of 85.Adriana Casas, a passionate advocate for biodiversity and mentor to the next generation of environmental stewards, died on December 17th at the age of 53.Chhoeung Chheng, a courageous Cambodian journalist who risked everything to expose illegal logging, died on December 7th at the age of 63 after being fatally shot while investigating deforestation.Simon Cowell, founder of the Wildlife Aid Foundation and beloved host of Wildlife SOS, died on October 29th at the age of 72 after decades of dedication to rescuing and rehabilitating wildlife.Frans de Waal, the primatologist whose groundbreaking studies of animal cognition redefined humanity’s understanding of empathy and fairness in the natural world, died on March 14th at the age of 75.Graham “Dingo” Dinkelman, a South African wildlife presenter renowned for his daring work with venomous snakes and heartfelt conservation advocacy, died on October 28th at the age of 44.Peter Dykstra, a pioneering environmental journalist who brought humor and tenacity to reporting on the planet’s most pressing issues, died on July 31st at the age of 67.Ross Gelbspan, an investigative journalist who exposed fossil fuel disinformation and inspired climate action through his groundbreaking books, passed away on January 27th at the age of 84.Elva Gemita, a dedicated Indonesian conservationist who championed the protection of Sumatran tigers and forest restoration, died on November 24th at the age of 44.Victorio Dariquebe Gerewa, a Harakbut environmental defender and guardian of Peru’s Amazonian Amarakaeri Communal Reserve, was tragically killed on April 19th at the age of 61.Matthew Gompper, a wildlife ecologist known for his pioneering studies of mammals and their ecological interactions, died on March 26th at the age of 59.Tulsi Gowda, India’s “Encyclopedia of the Forest” who planted over 30,000 saplings and devoted her life to reforestation and Indigenous knowledge, passed away on May 16th at the age of 86.Marty Griffin, a conservationist who preserved vast swathes of California’s Marin-Sonoma coast and founded Audubon Canyon Ranch, died on May 22nd at the age of 103.Karsten Heuer, a Canadian conservationist and filmmaker whose work advanced large-landscape connectivity and species reintroductions, passed away on November 5th at the age of 56.A.J.T. Johnsingh, a trailblazing Indian wildlife biologist and mentor whose research shaped conservation strategies for iconic species, died on June 7th at the age of 77.Tuíre Kayapó, an Indigenous leader who became a global symbol of resistance against the Belo Monte Dam and a defender of Brazil’s Amazon, passed away on August 10th at the age of 57.Bob Kennedy, an ornithologist who revolutionized avian conservation in the Philippines and beyond, died on July 20th at the age of 76.Ryan Patrick Killackey, a filmmaker and biologist whose acclaimed documentary Yasuni Man brought global attention to the plight of Ecuador’s Amazon, died on October 4th at the age of 46.Estella Bergere Leopold, a pioneering palynologist and environmental activist who preserved natural treasures like the Florissant Fossil Beds, died on February 25th at the age of 97.Donald Lindburg, a conservationist and behavioral scientist whose work with cheetahs and giant pandas set new standards for wildlife conservation, died on December 14th at the age of 91.Juan López, a Honduran environmental defender who fought tirelessly to protect Indigenous lands and rivers, was assassinated on September 14th at the age of 46.Maria de Fátima Muniz, a spiritual leader and fierce advocate for the Pataxó Hã-Hã-Hãe people’s land rights, was killed during a land rights clash in Bahia, Brazil, on January 21st at the age of 52.Marian Newman, a wildlife conservation advocate known as “The Kangaroo Lady” for her work protecting kangaroos and other species, died on October 30th at the age of 80.Orrin H. Pilkey, a coastal geologist whose outspoken advocacy reshaped policies on shoreline management and sea-level rise, died on August 20th at the age of 90.Bob Sallinger, a dedicated conservationist who championed urban wildlife protection and greenspace preservation in Oregon, died on October 30th at the age of 57.Sumit Sen, an ornithologist and digital archivist whose groundbreaking work documented Bengal’s birdlife and influenced conservation nationwide, died on March 22nd at the age of 69.Carlos Andrés Ascué Tumbo, known as “Lobo,” an Indigenous land defender who protected his ancestral territories in Colombia, was tragically killed on August 29th at the age of 37.Nancy Wallace, a civic leader whose efforts transformed the Bronx River into a vibrant greenway and ecological refuge, died on February 15th at the age of 93.George Woodwell, a pioneering ecologist and climate advocate who founded the Woods Hole Research Center and elevated global awareness of climate change, died on June 18th at the age of 95.
Note, there have been additional people added to the story linked below since this was published.
Conservationists and nature defenders who died in 2024
