Field Museum hosts Half-Earth Day with award, biodiversity

On Wednesday, October 29, the Field Museum will host a global celebration of action for global biodiversity. The event, called Half-Earth Day, is a partnership with the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation and signals a push for bold steps to conserve half of the planet’s land and seas for nature, as proposed in the foundation’s Half-Earth Project E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation.

The day’s theme is mentorship—showing how guiding the next generation can drive real conservation results. Experts will lead workshops and talks for scientists, educators, and the public on sustainable business, species research, wildlife photography, and conservation innovation.

Award for visionary leadership

At the evening ceremony, actor and longtime conservation activist Harrison Ford will accept the E.O. Wilson Legacy Award for Transformative Conservation Leadership. Ford, a Chicago native, is being honored for his decades of work raising awareness and advocating for biodiversity protection. Paula J. Ehrlich, president and CEO of the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation, said, “It’s through places like the Field Museum that people engage in the adventure of discovery and are inevitably moved to work together on behalf of nature.”

Local science, global impact

Half-Earth Day events are free and open to the public, with workshops, expert panels, and opportunities for anyone to learn and take part in conservation. The Field Museum has studied biodiversity for over 125 years and continues to drive conservation projects worldwide, from Chicago to the Amazon Rainforest.

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Places for the evening award ceremony are limited and require a small registration fee. Attendees are urged to register in advance through the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation’s website. The day promises to inspire action, celebrate mentorship, and showcase the power of community in safeguarding the planet’s future.