Prince Albert II of Monaco to visit Rancho Mirage this weekend

Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco will visit the Coachella Valley this weekend. The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation Award Ceremony will take place at Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage on Sunday.

After Shanghai in 2010 and London in 2012, the 2014 Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation Award Ceremony will be held at Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage on Sunday, October 12.

It’s the third time the ceremony has been held abroad.

According to a release, since 2008 the awards have honored several international key figures and organizations for their exemplary action in favor of the environment and the protection of the planet, in each of the foundation’s three priority fields of activity: to limit the effects of climate change, to preserve biodiversity, to manage water resources and to combat desertification.

The winners for 2014 are:

The Climate Change Award: Will be presented to Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg of Australia, an internationally renowned scientist specializing in coral reef biology. His 25-year career has focused on the impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems. He uses his knowledge to act as a global advocated for action to mitigate these effects.

The Biodiversity Award: Will honor the work of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. The IUCN Red List, published for the first time in 1964, is considered as the world’s most comprehensive information source on the global conservation status of plant and animal species. It’s mission is to constantly research for solutions to protect the natural heritage and to provide advice on how conservation actions can be taken, both at a regional and international level, to reduce and prevent extinction.

The Water Award: Will be given to Mr Ma Jun (People’s Republic of China) – A journalist and environmentalist known for having conducted an investigation on water and river pollution in China. In 2009, he received one of the most prestigious awards in Asia, the Ramon Magsaysay Award, for his efforts to raise public awareness of the challenges related to sustainable water resource management.

Before Sunday’s award ceremony, Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco will be visiting the Barbara Sinatra Center for Abused Children at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage.

Officials said they will be taking a brief tour of the facility on Saturday afternoon and meet with clinical staff and administration.