MBNMS Volunteer of the Year 2010 Margaret "PJ" Webb

Margaret "PJ" Webb was selected as the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary's Volunteer of the Year and honored by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation (NMSF) on June 7, 2011 in Washington, D.C. Margaret was one of 14 individuals across the National Marine Sanctuary system recognized for their outstanding volunteer service.

Since 2004, Margaret has dutifully served as the only Sanctuary Advisory Council representative for the southern Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary region, often traveling long distances to attend meetings. She represents the sanctuary at all southern area events such as the Coastal Discovery Center Fair and Coastal Clean Up Day and has participated in five Snapshot Day events. Margaret also provides public outreach about the sanctuary through speaking engagements and by exhibiting at local events.

Margaret has been a sanctuary BeachCOMBERS volunteer since 2006, monitoring the beaches of the Sanctuary's southern region and also volunteers for California's Marine Biotoxin Monitoring Program. She is now initiating a new harbor seal watch program in Cambria that will assist sanctuary efforts to protect marine mammals. Margaret is highly involved in local issues related to the sanctuary and stays informed about Cambria's desalination project, serves on the Technical Advisory Committee for the Santa Rosa Creek Watershed Management Plan and attends meetings held by a group of citizens lobbying for sanctuary expansion. She is also affiliated with the Marine Interest Group, a group of citizens involved in local marine issues and serves as a board member for the Otter Project. Margaret has graciously assisted sanctuary staff by keeping them abreast of local issues in the southern region. In her spare time, she volunteers for the Marine Mammal Center in Morro Bay where she has been an active member and team leader for the last nine years.

"Margaret is one of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary's most active and effective ambassadors—an incredible asset," said Paul Michel, sanctuary superintendent. "She constantly spreads the word about the sanctuary in her everyday interactions with individuals. Her guidance, energy, humor, and tireless support have been a tremendous help to our staff. We are honored to name her as our Volunteer of the Year."