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CORVALLIS, Ore. - An Oregon State University faculty member has won a major international prize for his mediation efforts in water conflicts.

Aaron Wolf, a geography professor in OSU's College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, has been named a 2013 recipient of Il Monito del Giardino (The Warning from the Garden) Award by the Bardini and Peyron Monumental Parks Foundation of Florence, Italy.

The honor is given to persons who have distinguished themselves internationally in safeguarding the environment and raising awareness of ecological issues. The 2012 recipient was Jane Goodall.

Wolf will receive his award next week June in Florence.

The scientific committee cited Wolf's involvement in striving for more democratic access to the world's water sources. "The value of his work has come to be recognized on the world stage, mediation work in controversies relative to water's being at the center of the geopolitical scences that are very delicate, such as that of the Mideast."

Wolf has traveled throughout the world as both a scientist and a mediator in the area of water conflicts. He has been a consultant to the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the World Bank, and numerous governments.

He directs the Program in Water Conflict Management and Transformation, and developed the Transboundary Freshwater Dispute database, which includes a compilation of 400 water-related treaties as well as information on water conflicts and resolution.