Sheikh Mubarak Award

2018: Huw Roberts

Huw Roberts has been a birder and wildlife watcher throughout his 25 years in the region (Turkey, Bahrain, Oman and UAE). He has authored and co-authored several articles on birds and other wildlife in the UAE, and is a voting member of the Emirates Bird Records Committee. He is also an avid wildlife photographer, with a web gallery (pbase.com/wildlifeuae) that organizes photos of nearly 1000 authoritatively-identified species that he has photographed in the UAE. Huw recently conducted a survey of Ras Al Khaimah's mangroves area, but his special interest in Jebel Hafeet, where he is currently cataloguing the fauna on the mountain's west side. 

 

2017: Dr. Peter Magee, Director of Archaeology, Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism. 

Dr. Magee has been active in UAE archaeology for over 25 years, excavating at Muweilah (where he welcomed some ENHG and DNHG groups), at Tell Abraq (where he also welcomed ENHG/DNHG visitors) and elsewhere. His work has been published widely in academic journals, and his book, 'The Prehistory of Arabia,' has become a standard work.  

2016: Dr. John Burt, New York University Abu Dhabi

Head of the NYU Abu Dhabi Marine Biology Laboratory, Dr. Burt is one of the most prolific scholars on regional marine issues, and has been studying reef systems in the Emirates since 2005. A friend of the ENHG, having delivered lectures to all three chapters, he has published over 40 scholarly articles and book chapters on marine ecology in the UAE and surrounding Arabian nations since joining NYU Abu Dhabi in 2009, and has hosted two major international reef conferences focused on regional coral reefs. His work also includes terrestrial interests: he has published work on UAE Acacia tree canopy architecture in the Journal of Arid Environments, and has published an article on invertebrates associated with wadis in the ENHG’s journal, ‘Tribulus.’ 

2015: Binish Roobas

Binish has been responsible for the recognition and study of several rare UAE animal species, notably Walton's mudskipper and Bosk's fringe-toed lizard, and has contributed to the study of several others, including the Arabian Grizzled Skipper, the Cycad Cupid, the colorful damselfly Ischnura nursei, the tiger beetle Callytron monalisa, and the newly recognized UAE tarantula (Ischnocolus sp.). The breadth of Binish's interests, the depth of his curiosity, and his disciplined pursuit of his inquiries stand as an example of the opportunity available in the UAE to individuals with a passion for natural history, regardless of institutional affiliation.

2014: Dr. Richard Hornby

A former Chairman of ENHG Abu Dhabi, Dr. Hornby has quietly made very considerable contributions to knowledge of the country's fauna and flora, both through his many contributions to Tribulus, but also through providing extensive advice and assistance to many other active naturalists in the preparation of their own papers. As a professional environmental scientist, Dr. Hornby has contributed significantly to the study of the country’s natural history, first through his work as managing director of the National Avian Research Centre, now part of EAD, then as an adviser to the Federal Environment Agency, and now through his environmental consultancy, Nautica Environmental Associates. At the same time, Dr. Hornby has continued his own independent research and publication and advised many others, both professionals and amateurs, who are active in the field.

2013: Dr. Sabah Jassim

Promoter of the excavation of many key archaeological sites in the UAE with the Sharjah Directorate of Archaeology; many publications in English and Arabic. 

2012: Oscar Campbell

Contributor of significant records of birds, etc,; promoter of Collared Kingfisher Kalbaensis conservation. 

2011: Dr. Drew Gardner

Major contributions to the knowledge of the reptiles of SE Arabia, as well as general ecology, flora, insects and bats. 

2010: Antonius (Tony) van Harten

Coordinator of the impressively comprehensive and groundbreaking UAE Arthropod Project. 

2009: Christian Welde

Archaeology in the UAE since 1985, Chief Archaeologist at the National Museum of Ra's al-Khaimah 

2008: Dr. Mark Beech

Abu Dhabi Island Archaeological Survey, Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage. 

2007: Gary Feulner

Publications on geology, botany, entomology, mollusks, and freshwater fishes. 

2006: Dr. Brigitte Howarth

Contributions to entomology in the UAE and Northern Oman. Study of mimicry in insects. 

2005: Dr. Michele Ziolkowski

Archaeology of Fujairah. 

2004: Peter Hellyer

Support for and popularization of archaeology in the UAE. 

2003: HE Mohamed Al Bawardi

Services to conservation and environmental protection in the UAE. 

2002: Phil Iddison

Contributions to the study of food in the UAE. 

2001: Peter Cunningham

Herpetology of UAE, and study of Uromastyx (spiny-tailed lizards, or dhub).

2000: Dr. Reza Khan

Director Dubai Zoo, Natural History of UAE. 

1999: Moaz Sawaf

Arabian Leopard Trust. 

1998: Dr. Michael Gillett

Major Contributions to the study of insects in the UAE. 

1997: Simon Aspinall

Ornithologist and author of Status and Conservation of the Breeding Birds of the United Arab Emirates. 

1995: Colin Richardson

Secretary, Emirates Birds Records Committee. 

1994: Dr. Marijcke Jongbloed

Founder, Arabian Leopard Trust. 

 

Jashanmal Award Recipients

 

1993: Peter Hellyer

Chair, ENHG 1989-1992

1992: A.R. 'Rob' Western

Bulletin editor and author of An Introduction to the Flowers of the United Arab Emirates.

1991: J.N.B. 'Bish' Brown

Founder-member of ENHG.