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craig award

Sponsored and presented by the Longoria-Hosmer Foundation

The CRAIG Award honors conservationists and their extraordinary efforts. Named after Craig, a legendary tusker from Kenya's Amboseli ecosystem, the award embodies his iconic presence and spirit, symbolizing outstanding individual achievements in wilderness and wildlife conservation.

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THE MEANING OF
craig

An acronym of the qualities of CRAIG Award recipients

C

Conservation

The recipient demonstrates a commitment to the preservation and protection of wilderness and wildlife.

R

Restoration

The individual actively engages in and supports efforts to restore damaged or depleted environments to their natural, interconnected state.

A

Antipoaching

The recipient is a strong advocate against illegal poaching and has made significant contributions to the fight against poachers.

I

Innovation

The person shows creativity and forward-thinking in devising new methods and strategies for wilderness and wildlife conservation.

G

Generosity

The philanthropist is known for their exceptional generosity, contributing substantial resources and support to conservation projects and initiatives.

about the award

The Longoria-Hosmer Foundation established the CRAIG Award to celebrate conservationists for their extraordinary impact in the field. Named after Craig, a legendary tusker from Kenya's Amboseli ecosystem, the award reflects his iconic presence and spirit, symbolizing unparalleled achievements in wilderness and wildlife conservation.

The CRAIG Award honors those who stand as giants in conservation—individuals who have devoted their lives, talents, and resources to protecting wild spaces. These visionaries champion sustainable resource use and embrace the deep connection between humanity and the natural world.

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AWARDS & CEREMONY

The Longoria-Hosmer Foundation has pledged to donate $1 million, in honor of CRAIG Award recipients, to charities making an impact in the conservation world. Annually, the award is presented in person in November at the Longoria-Hosmer Foundation fundraiser, in Texas, USA.

Recipients receive:

  • $40,000 will be donated by the Longoria-Hosmer Foundation to a wilderness or wildlife charity of the recipient's choice. The donation will be made in honor of the CRAIG Award recipient.
  • Bronze Award sculpture of Craig the elephant, created by Kenyan Murray Grant of Murray Grant Bronzes and El Karama Nature Conservancy. The Craig bronze sculpture holds a $25,000 value.
  • Sterling Silver belt buckle and lapel pin of Craig the elephant, created and donated by Zimbabwean Forbes Mavros of Patrick Mavros Fine Silver.

HONOR THE EFFORT

FOUNDERS

ABOUT RICARDO

Maybe I was born with Africa in my veins, captivated by its wild heart.

My boyhood was a haze of afternoons in Dad’s and Grandfather’s trophy rooms, marveling at the dusty trophies, black-and-white safari photos, and antique, leatherbound hunting books lined the wooden shelves.

My grandfather’s adventures in East Africa were legendary; as a banker, he financed Harry Shelby to start his own safari company. Dad’s two epic, near-100-day safaris in East Africa left an indelible mark on our family’s folklore.

My childhood weekends were often spent at the Longoria family ranches in Northern Mexico, “Rancherías,” one of North America’s original game preserves. In the mid-1950s, our family partnered with the San Antonio Zoo to bring exotic animals from more than a dozen countries.

This endeavor seeded my lifelong passion for wildlife conservation and exotic game ranching.

I’ve been an outdoorsman for as long as I can remember. My love for conservation stands shoulder to shoulder with my passion for bowhunting. To me, hunting cannot be explained or expressed by facts and figures; rather, it is something that allows me to feel a part of the wilderness as a participant, not just an observer.

Through the years, I’ve been fortunate enough to bow hunt on six continents, hunting a diverse array of big game with my bow, including mountain species and dangerous game.

QUALIFICATIONS GO HERE
BACHELORS IN XYZ
“ The wild called, and I answered alongside my wife, Britt. The story, though, is still being written.”

ABOUT BRITT

I was just a girl when my father, Joseph Hosmer—affectionately known as “Papa Joe” by many, with his bright eyes and glorious mustache—took my hand and led me into the heart of Northern New England’s wilderness.

The woods were beyond a backdrop; they were a realm of solace, a playground for confidence building, and a cultivator of life lessons. Our time there served to quiet the mind and respite of spirit. These experiences taught me that life’s greatest treasures are in the blunt beauty and wisdom nature provides.

Other times we’d sit in blinds before dawn, wrapped in fog from the Atlantic, the silence broken only by waterfowl and the sucking sound of Bean boots in the mud. Or we’d chase setters with bells on through bittersweet vines and over ancient stone walls, hunting woodcock and grouse. Those moments etched a bond with my father and the wild, igniting my need for a lifelong pursuit

At 15, I ventured to South Africa, working summers for safari and game-capture companies. It broadened my horizons, teaching me about international wildlife and the delicate balance of conservation and commercial use. I stayed, studied, and eventually worked in eco-tourism and nonprofit sectors, entwining my career with rural communities and business development initiatives. Yet, the call of the wilderness is relentless. Annual “father-daughter hunts” were sacred rites that grounded me during some of the most complicated times of my life.

Despite Papa Joe’s passing in 2020, his influence has guided me through every challenge and effort.

Each adventure wove itself into my life’s fabric, each fiber a reminder of the balance and interconnection we strive for. I became an advocate of the wilderness, a role Papa Joe would be proud of. His spirit accompanies me in every endeavor, revealing the wild world’s proper form and potential—verdant, vital, and necessary for all.

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BACHELORS IN XYZ
“As I carry forward his legacy, my path is clear. The wilderness calls, and Ricardo and I are here to answer—not just for ourselves but for all of us.”

Longoria-Hosmer Foundation believes it is not enough to label ourselves as conservationists; we must also demonstrate our commitment to funds and action. We are investing in the landscapes and the wildlife that call them home, ensuring they endure tomorrow’s adventures.

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faqs + T&cs

How are recipients selected?
Is the award limited to conservationists in Africa?
When is the award presented?
Can the public attend the award ceremony?
Can the award be given posthumously?
Does the CRAIG Award recipient have to be present at the ceremony?
Will travel expenses be paid to the recipient to attend the presentation ceremony?

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