Defender Awards: Wins for forestry, marine protection and wildlife conservation projects

A new chapter in purpose-driven innovation has begun with the first-ever Defender Awards, which celebrate frontline efforts to protect nature and support communities across the globe. Each winner receives a rugged Defender 4×4, a £100,000 grant, and access to expert mentorship—resources designed to accelerate real-world impact on land and at sea, for wildlife and for people.

The program spans four categories—Sea, Land, Wild, and Humanity—and reflects a £1 million commitment that builds on Defender’s long-standing support for conservation and humanitarian work, shaped over decades of partnerships with leading charities. An international panel chose the winners from 56 finalists, assessing alignment with category goals, measurable outcomes, operational ingenuity, and the ways a Defender vehicle would amplify fieldwork in challenging terrain.

The jury was co-chaired by Defender’s managing director and brand director, Mark Cameron, alongside Zimbabwean conservation biologist Dr. Moreangels Mbizah, founder of Wildlife Conservation Action. Together, the panel prioritized community-powered initiatives already delivering tangible results—and poised to scale.

Defenders of the Sea

South Africa: The Litterboom Project

To shield coastal ecosystems, The Litterboom Project deploys floating barriers on the Tongaat, Umhlanga, Umgeni and Umbilo rivers, intercepting plastic and other debris before it reaches the ocean. By halting an estimated five tonnes of waste each month, the teams reduce threats to fish, birds and marine mammals while collecting data on riverine pollution sources. With a Defender in the fleet, crews can reach overlooked tributaries, scout new barrier locations, and operate effectively in remote conditions.

France: PolluSub

PolluSub focuses on the “invisible” pollution that accumulates below the surface at ports. Using a discreet, eco-friendly net system installed at harbor entrances and exits, the project captures submerged waste in motion, turning busy gateways into protective filters. The team is building a blueprint that can be replicated across France and beyond to inform stronger environmental standards at ports. The Defender will support logistics for pilot installations and function as a mobile base for field teams and community engagement.

Defenders of the Land

United Kingdom: Thousand Year Trust

On Bodmin Moor in Cornwall, the Thousand Year Trust is orchestrating a 10,000-acre restoration effort that blends ecological recovery with cultural and economic benefits. The plan includes planting 1.28 million native trees to reconnect habitats for rare species and to lock away an estimated 220,000 tonnes of CO2e. The Defender will serve as a dependable field hub and basecamp, enabling teams to access hard-to-reach planting areas and monitor progress across complex terrain.

Japan: Next Commons Lab

Next Commons Lab is piloting a watershed-scale approach that treats forests, rivers and satoyama mosaics as interconnected systems to be regenerated together. After a successful effort in Owase City—where 700 people joined workshops that supported recovery of the near-threatened red-bellied newt—the team is launching a first-of-its-kind training program for watershed regeneration. Over the next two years, more than 100 professionals will be trained to carry this work forward in a sector where the average practitioner is over 60. A Defender will provide reliable travel between distant project sites—up to 1,400 kilometers—and double as a mobile research station on steep, rural roads.

Defenders of the Wild

Italy: Salviamo l’Orso

With only about 60 individuals left, the Marsican brown bear is among Europe’s most vulnerable large mammals. Salviamo l’Orso’s Bear Smart Landscapes initiative reduces conflict with people by securing attractants, improving habitat connectivity and fostering coexistence. The Defender will support daily movement across rugged mountain tracks and unpaved roads, while funding helps establish a new volunteer center to expand conservation action and community outreach.

Defenders of Humanity

Australia: Skin Check Champions

Skin Check Champions launched Project Check Mate to bring early detection to regions where skin cancer risk is high and access can be limited. The initiative has delivered 25,000 skin checks, flagging more than 600 potential melanomas and 1,800 non-melanoma skin cancers. By integrating AI tools to assist regional nurses and building local training networks for clinicians, the program strengthens healthcare capacity close to home. A Defender will broaden access to remote communities and streamline mobile clinic operations.

Driving change, scaling impact

Beyond funding and vehicles, the awards offer mentoring from a global community of practitioners—support designed to help local leaders test new ideas, replicate proven models and navigate complex field challenges. In this inaugural edition, the winners show how practical innovation and community collaboration can restore ecosystems, safeguard wildlife and deliver life-saving services. With the added capability of a Defender 4×4 and tailored guidance, these projects are equipped to go farther, reach more people and protect more places—turning bold ambitions into measurable results.