The Wildlife Conservation Society China Program is preparing to issue its 2009 China Border Wildlife Guardian Award, the first of its kind in the country.

Inaugurated last year, the annual award aims to give an incentive to people involved in wildlife law enforcement in China's border areas, and to honor those who have made great contributions to wildlife conservation through anti-poaching work and by stopping cross-border wildlife trade.

Five Excellency Award winners and 20 Nominee Award winners will be selected through application, publicity, online voting, field surveys and expert reviews. The final result will be announced in January 2010.