Adrian Gardiner, renowned conservationist, entrepreneur, founder, and Chairman of the Mantis Collection, has been awarded the prestigious 'Global Humanitarian Award' from American Humane. The award recognizes his remarkable dedication to wildlife conservation and his outstanding efforts in saving animals and their habitats. American Humane CEO, Dr Robin Ganzert, praised Gardiner for laying a roadmap for other private entities to invest in conservation and commended him for his sharp business sense.
The award ceremony was held at the Nyosi Wildlife Reserve, a 3,100-hectare pocket of biodiversity in the urban metropolis of Nelson Mandela Bay, which is the official foundation of Mantis. The Community Conservation Fund Africa (CCFA), which is a foundation of Mantis, is dedicated to conservation and sustainability efforts. Gardiner's unwavering commitment to conservation and his impressive track record in the industry earned him the National Humanitarian Medal, which is a great honor for him.
Gardiner expressed his gratitude for the award and the recognition, stating that he was humbled by it. He acknowledged that the conservation projects he has been involved in are not about him, but rather the incredible team that he has had the privilege to work with. He praised their dedication, empathy, work ethic, and love of nature and the environment, which have been critical to the success of the projects.
Gardiner's accomplishments in the conservation industry are notable. Before founding the Mantis Collection, which is a leading conservation-focused hotel group, he spent decades dedicated to the conservation and protection of Africa's wildlife in partnership with both the Wilderness Foundation Africa and the Wilderness Foundation Global, where he serves as a patron. He founded Shamwari, the first private Big Five game reserve in the Eastern Cape, which inspired him to expand this blueprint and protect the animals and the land they inhabit.
Gardiner's efforts have earned him several accolades for his conservation, environmental, and tourism initiatives. He has been recognized with awards such as the Terra Nova Conservation Award 2001, the South Africa Tourism Services Association (SATSA) 2004, and the African Hospitality Investment Award 2019, to name a few.
Gardiner's philosophy has been to ensure inclusivity, promoting harmony between man, beast, and the natural world. He believes that everyone, from visionaries to environmentalists, local communities, tourists, and volunteers, plays a vital role in spreading the conservation message. He has continued to work with dedicated conservationists and community members through the CCFA's legacy conservation project, which aims to include local communities in conservation and ecotourism efforts while creating a conservation and community legacy.
Adrian Gardiner's dedication to conservation and sustainability is an inspiration to us all. His remarkable achievements in the industry have earned him the respect and admiration of his peers and colleagues. He is a shining example of how businesses can invest in conservation and make a positive impact on the environment while promoting sustainable tourism.