Harrison Ford Receives Conservation Award, Continues Aviation Advocacy Work

Harrison Ford, 83, received the inaugural E.O. Wilson Legacy Award for Transformative Conservation Leadership in 2025 from the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation, recognizing decades of environmental activism that extends far beyond his legendary Hollywood career. The actor, who serves as inaugural vice chair of Conservation International since 1991, has long used his fame and aviation skills to make tangible differences in conservation and humanitarian efforts.

Ford, who earned his pilot's certificate at age 53 after initially abandoning flight training in the 1960s due to cost, has built an impressive aviation career alongside his acting achievements. Based part-time in Jackson, Wyoming, he volunteers with Teton County Search and Rescue, using his Bell 407 helicopter to assist stranded hikers in the region's challenging mountain terrain. His volunteer rescue work has saved the county significant costs while helping people in genuine emergencies.

Beyond rescue missions, Ford has become a passionate advocate for general aviation and youth aviation education. From 2004 to 2009, he chaired the Experimental Aircraft Association's Young Eagles program, working to inspire the next generation of pilots. He regularly appears at aviation events including EAA AirVenture and serves as an honorary board member of humanitarian aviation organization Wings of Hope.

His unique combination of celebrity status, piloting expertise, and genuine commitment to environmental and humanitarian causes has made him a real-life hero whose impact reaches far beyond the silver screen.