Kingdom of Bhutan Received Murie Spirit of Conservation Award

The Queen Mother of Bhutan, Her Majesty Tseyring Pem Wangchuck, accepted the Murie Spirit of Conservation Award from Teton Science Schools, on behalf of the Kingdom of Bhutan on Tuesday night at Center for the Arts.

Kingdom of Bhutan Received Murie Spirit of Conservation Award

The Kingdom of Bhutan is the first country to receive the Murie Spirit of Conservation Award. The queen mother was also awarded the Champion of Rising Leaders Award for her environmental and conservation efforts.

“Like Wyoming, my country too has treaded lightly upon Mother Earth,” the queen mother said. “I’m wonder-struck by how similar the people and the environment of Wyoming are to my own people and country.”

The Kingdom of Bhutan is located in the eastern Himalayas with over 72% of its land covered in forests, 51% of the country is protected and it is one of only two carbon-negative nations in the world. Bhutan pledged to remain carbon-negative 15 years ago and the country’s constitution requires that at least 60% of the land is covered by forests in perpetuity. Bhutan is home to tigers, snow leopards, the endangered white-bellied heron and 700 species of birds.

“The air is so pure you feel like you are breathing in the whispers of the mountains themselves,” said the narrator in the introduction video sharing clips from Bhutan.

“Restoration of the health of our natural ecosystem or at least the halting of further adverse human activities is not a choice, but a matter of life and death for our species.” - The Queen Mother of Bhutan, Her Majesty Tseyring Pem Wangchuck.

Amongst other initiatives, the queen mother has a goal of planting a million high-carbon sequestering trees in a 10-year period.

murie spirit teton science school bhutan award

According to Teton Science Schools CEO and Head of School, Shawn Kelly, Teton Science School’s connection to Bhutan goes back to 1991 when two Bhutanese conservationists attended classes at the Kelly Campus. Since then, 3,000 Bhutanese educators have been trained in place-based education by TSS.

“Leadership has always been important but in today’s world, it’s critical,” Kelly said during opening remarks. “Unfortunately, there seems to be a prevailing cynicism that infects many of our conversations and attitudes; we are quick to point out flaws and imperfections, rather than celebrating the beauty of the human spirit and the positive contributions each of us can make.”

conservation award murie bhutan queen mother

The Queen Mother spoke about how the Kingdom measures success through Gross National Happiness (GNH), rather than Gross Domestic Product (GDP), a concept championed by the current King’s father, the queen mother’s husband, over 30 years ago.

“In his wisdom, he realized that whereas we human beings can thrive even with the bare minimum of material comfort, we cannot survive a moment in an environment that is incapable of supporting life itself,” the queen mother said. “He convinced his people that Bhutan must pursue an integrated, holistic, balanced development wherein development in one dimension of human need does not bring harm to other dimensions.”

She explained that progress is monitored through a happiness index that measures the status of nine equally vital domains of happiness, which are psychological wellbeing, health, time use and balance, education, cultural diversity and resilience, good governance, community vitality, ecological diversity and resilience and living standard.

The Queen Mother spoke of the inherent flaws of the GDP including “limitless economic growth and the reduction of humanity to an irrational, voracious environmental consuming monster.”

“We need to act urgently before the point of no return and no remedy befalls us,” the Queen Mother said.

“Restoration of the health of our natural ecosystem or at least the halting of further adverse human activities is not a choice, but a matter of life and death for our species.”

Bhutanese environmentalists and conservationists were also in attendance and participated in a roundtable discussion moderated by Judge M. Margaret McKeown, a Senior United States Circuit Judge for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and a Teton Science Schools Board member.



Related Posts

Drukair Launches Bespoke Crew Necktie and Scarf Designed by...

Drukair – Royal Bhutan Airlines unveils an exclusive crew necktie and scarf designed by world-renowned French designer...

Oct 17, 2025 06:44

Bhutan Makes History as the World’s First Nation to Launch a...

Bhutan becomes the first country in the world to anchor its National Digital Identity (NDI) system on the Ethereum...

Oct 15, 2025 06:22

Bhutan’s King Launches Pelsung: Guardians of Prosperity

His Majesty The King launched Pelsung — Guardians of Prosperity — on the 7th October, 2025. Pelsung is a new national...

Oct 08, 2025 09:57

Overview of Bhutan’s Economic Stimulus Plan Implementation

Bhutan’s Economic Stimulus Plan launched in 2024 focuses on reviving key sectors with loans and programs to boost jobs...

Oct 07, 2025 17:45

Royal Textile Academy Unveils Bold Innovations for Bhutanese...

The Royal Textile Academy has unveiled four innovative prototypes to preserve Bhutanese weaving traditions through...

Oct 02, 2025 09:58

Latest

News

Drukair Launches Bespoke Crew Necktie and Scarf Designed by Christian Louboutin

Drukair – Royal Bhutan Airlines unveils an exclusive crew necktie and scarf designed by world-renowned French designer Christian Louboutin....

Oct 17, 2025 06:44

Bhutan Makes History as the World’s First Nation to Launch a National Digital ID on Ethereum

Bhutan becomes the first country in the world to anchor its National Digital Identity (NDI) system on the Ethereum blockchain. The historic...

Oct 15, 2025 06:22

Features

Desuups- The Guardians of Peace

Desuups program first started in 2011 under the patronage of His Majesty the 5th King of Bhutan. So far 4,457 Bhutanese have trained as...

Oct 14, 2025 16:18

Passion and Purpose: Rinzin’s 20-Year Journey with Zhiwaling

Zhiwaling is proudly celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. To mark this milestone, we have interviewed Rinzin — who has been with...

Sep 24, 2025 17:18

Business

Lee Kum Kee Expands Global Culinary Initiative to Bhutan

Lee Kum Kee launches its Global Culinary Immersion Programme in Bhutan, empowering Bhutanese youth through hands-on culinary exchange,...

Oct 14, 2025 07:12

High Altitude, Higher Ambitions: Bhutan Enters the Wine World

Bhutan has officially stepped onto the global wine stage with the debut of The Himalayan, a record-breaking 7.57-litre bottle auctioned by...

May 23, 2025 16:38

Sports

NBA Stars Visit Bhutan: A Historic Slam Dunk for Local Basketball

For the first time in history, four NBA players have visited Bhutan, igniting nationwide excitement and inspiring a new generation of...

Aug 05, 2025 10:10

Zimbiri Makes History as First Bhutanese Woman Elected to SAFF Executive Committee

Zimbiri has made history as the first Bhutanese woman elected to the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Executive Committee, a landmark...

May 28, 2025 10:49

Tourism

Bhutan Rises to Fourth in Condé Nast Traveller’s Best Countries List

Bhutan ranks fourth in Condé Nast Traveller’s Best Countries in the World list, celebrated for its serene landscapes, Gross National...

Oct 07, 2025 18:27

Bhutan Introduces National Monument Ticketing System for Seamless Visitor Experience

Bhutan has launched a new National Monument Ticketing System, allowing tourists to book entry tickets online for a smoother and more...

Sep 25, 2025 16:08

Lifestyle

Bhutan Celebrates World Music Day with a Soulful Gathering in Thimphu

Bhutan marked World Music Day with a vibrant concert in Thimphu, featuring over 90 artists despite the rain. Discover how music is shaping...

Jun 23, 2025 16:37

What's in a Name? Discover Bhutan's Unique Naming Tradition

In Bhutan, names are traditionally given by monks and not tied to family lineage. Visitors can experience a traditional naming ceremony at...

Jun 03, 2025 14:04

GMC

Three New Sacred Projects Endorsed by His Majesty The King for Gelephu Mindfulness City

His Majesty The King has granted Royal Approval for three new spiritual projects under the Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC), including Druk...

Oct 17, 2025 07:07

Gangtey Trulku Rinpoche Visits Pemaling for the Kurkulee Centre Site Inspection

A living mandala is taking shape in Gelephu. Led by Gangtey Trulku Rinpoche, the Kurkulee Centre will stand as a sacred anchor of the...

Oct 06, 2025 13:56

Subscribe to our newsletter

Never miss out on new happenings and news stories!

newsletter

Download Daily Bhutan Mobile App

Connecting with us just got easier!

android app
apple app