Environmentalists from Ecuador and Cameroon were honored by the National Geographic Society on Monday for their efforts to save wildlife and to engage local communities in conservation.

Ecuadorian conservationist Mónica González and Cameroonian ornithologist and conservationist Roger Fotso are recipients of the 2015 National Geographic Society/Buffett Award for Leadership and Conservation, the Society announced.

Each will receive a $25,000 award on Thursday during National Geographic’s annual Explorers Week, when the Society hosts explorers, scientists, and advocates from around the world.