INDIANAPOLIS – The Indianapolis Zoo’s Uproar Conservation Challenge has been named an award winner in two categories in the 6th Annual Anthem Awards for social impact.
The Anthem Awards are the Webby Awards’ benchmark for social impact work, recognizing brands, nonprofits, and individuals who are setting the standard for good worldwide. Chosen from among 2,500 entries from 43 countries, the Indianapolis Zoo was honored with the:
- Gold Anthem Award in PR or Earned Media Campaign (Sustainability, Environment & Climate)
- Bronze Anthem Award in Community Engagement Campaign (Sustainability, Environment & Climate)
“The inaugural year of the Uproar Conservation Challenge was a rousing success,” said Jake Oakman, senior vice president for External Relations. “The Indianapolis Zoo makes a global impact in wildlife conservation, and this Challenge represents a new and unique way to illustrate the importance of protecting all species, especially the lesser-known.”
Uproar Conservation Challenge
The Uproar Conservation Challenge launched in March 2026, in partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature, as a way for the Zoo to highlight the significance of and threats to lesser-known animals, plants and fungi. Through an innovative online voting and bracket format, more than 1.3 million votes were cast from more than 200 countries and territories. Other notable milestones included:
- $1.95 million in earned media value
- 14 million in organic reach
- 210 million in total reach
Led by the Zoo’s Communications and Brand/Marketing teams, staff collaborated closely with the Global Center for Species Survival to curate a list of 64 species and inspire conservation groups from across the globe to promote the inaugural challenge.
The Bolivian Ornate Tiger Beetle emerged as the Champion after earning nearly one-third of all the votes through an inspired community engagement campaign that swept across its home country. The winning species specialist group received $10,000 in conservation funding, and $55,000 in conservation funds were distributed in total across all participating species.
The Challenge returns in April 2027 with a new group of species and expanded initiatives to engage staff, teachers, and the greater community. Sign up to receive updates from the Indianapolis Zoo about the 2027 Uproar Conservation Challenge.
