The CONABIO Story
Recognizing Tyler Prize Laureate,
CONABIO founder José Sarukhán.
The CONABIO Story
Recognizing Tyler Prize Laureate,
CONABIO founder José Sarukhán.
Welcome
Thank you for visiting the resource hub for Tyler Prize Laureate, Professor José Sarukhán Kermez – the co-creator and National Coordinator for Mexico’s National Commission for Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity (CONABIO).
Who is Dr. José Sarukhán?
The Mexican Ecologist who won the 'Nobel for the Environment'
Often referred to as the founding father of ecological research in Mexico, José Sarukhán is among the best-known conservation and biodiversity scientists in the world.
He is a Foreign Member of the US Academy of Sciences, the Royal Society of London, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, as well as a Member of The World Academy of Sciences and the Mexican honorary academy, El Colegio Nacional.
Professor José Sarukhán was recognized with the 2017 Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement for his "ability to translate scientific knowledge into action".
On this website you can find more information about the Tyler Prize, the work of José Sarukhán and CONABIO, and other related educational material.
What is CONABIO?
CONABIO (Comisión Nacional para el Conocimiento y Uso de la Biodiversidad)
CONABIO (in English, the National Commission for the Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity) was established in 1992.
As an agency within Mexico’s federal government, CONABIO participates in decisions about environmental protection, forestry, fisheries, agriculture and international policy.
Professor Sarukhán was the driving force behind the formation of CONABIO, during his time as Rector of UNAM (National Autonomous University of Mexico).
In 1992, as university president, Sarukhán was able to convince then-President of Mexico to create a federal-level agency that would inventory the biodiversity of Mexico, as well as monitor its conservation and sustainable use. This model was one of the first of its kind in the world.
After 30 years of service, Sarukhán ended his time as head of CONABIO in 2022. Thanks to his dedication and vision, he left CONABIO one of the most prestigious institutions of its kind in the world.
Scientists should defend a fundamental principle: Humankind cannot move forward if governments pretend not to know – or not to be based in – fact and science.
Tyler Prize winner, Dr. José Sarukhán
Official Tyler Prize 2017 Citation
– The Tyler Prize Executive Committee, Official Citation
"José Sarukhán, in recognition of your vision, persistence and wisdom in creating a national system of protecting and managing biodiversity.
As a youth, your love and curiosity for how the plant world functions, combined with meticulous science, led you to becoming a renowned ecologist.
As your work progressed, you recognized that the ongoing destruction of the natural world threatened the fate of Mexico’s rainforests, and that biodiversity could only be sustained if scientific research was organized into a comprehensive information system.
You translated your scientific knowledge into action by creating and strengthening educational and policy institutions, mentoring students to become leaders and rallying colleagues around a common goal. This resulted in the implementation of public policy, laws and regulations that have an ongoing influence worldwide."
In the Media: José Sarukhán, 2017 Tyler Prize
The Huffington Post
"Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto also tweeted “It is a well-deserved recognition of his tireless work in favor of biodiversity and his commitment to institutional strengthening” in regards to the laureate." – From Huffington Post
Bloomberg BNA
"An adequately informed society with reliable information is the best partner you can have to defend biological diversity." – Quoted in Bloomberg BNA
Forbes
"There are many economic interests involved and this is not an incentive for politicians to speak truthfully about the problem." – Quoted in Forbes
MongaBay
"CONABIO has the largest database of biodiversity information under one roof about the natural resources of any country in the world. But besides that, it has truly become a bridge between academia, governmental agencies, and society because all our information comes from the scientific community of Mexico and our results are open and accessible to everyone." – Quoted in MongaBay
Full list of media mentions here.