Apr. 24 - KGO - One of the most prestigious awards for people who help the environment will be awarded in San Francisco to heroes from six different continents Monday night. This year's Goldman Environmental Prize winners have defied death threats and fought government corruption.

San Francisco philanthropist Richard Goldman and his late wife Rhoda created the environmental prize 16-years-ago to coincide with Earth Day celebrations in April. One winner is chosen from each continent -- usually people you've never heard of, who have no idea they'd even been nominated. They'll get $125,000 in prize money, and finally some recognition.

The demand for tropical timber is devastating the rainforests of Papua-New Guinea. Timber companies engaged in illegal logging and corrupt government officials turning a blind eye. But that didn't stop attorney Annie Kajir. She went to court and forced the logging interests to pay damages to land owners whose trees had been cut down.

Anne Kajir, prizewinner: "I think I do it basically for the people, and the love of the environment. And basically it's wrong, it's wrong to see people treated like this."

Craig Williams, prizewinner: "I never blinked, and felt like we couldn't do this - even though the media - at all these sites. And even my home state, said 'It's nice that you're opposed to this but, the Army is going to do what it wants, so why don't you accept it and move on?'"

Silas Siakor exposed evidence that Liberian President Charles Taylor was using profits from rampant logging to fund a brutal 14-year civil war that cost thousands of lives.

Silas Siakor, prizewinner: "For example, in one particular village, 250 persons were massacred by one of the militia groups operated by one of the timber companies."

The winners will receive their prize money in ceremonies at 5:00 p.m. Monday evening at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco.