Press Release

For more information contact: Dennis Long djlong@pacbell.net 831-644-9600 or Aaron King aaron.king@noaa.gov 831-647-4257

Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary Foundation Surges Forward!

The Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary Foundation has brought aboard a new Executive Director, Dennis J. Long. This new directorship, a new educational map of the Sanctuary, and a renewed commitment by the Sanctuary Advisory Council to work in conjunction with the Foundation are all cornerstones of an exciting revitalization for the organization.

"The Foundation is the perfect vehicle for the business community and interested individuals to get involved in creating and supporting educational, research and resource protection projects related to the Sanctuary," says Superintendent William J. Douros. "I'm looking forward to working closely with Dennis as we explore the many fundraising and program development opportunities the Foundation affords."

The Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary Foundation is an independent, nonprofit organization established to advance the understanding and protection of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. It focuses on developing and implementing projects that increase the public's information about, and awareness of, the Sanctuary. Its recent projects include "The Grand Canyon of Monterey Bay" poster, and most recently, a new bathymetric/topographic Sanctuary map funded from a grant by Duke Energy, new owners of the power plant in Moss Landing.

"You may think of the Foundation as the entrepreneurial arm of the Sanctuary," explains Dennis Long. "We can serve as a fiscal sponsor for Sanctuary-related projects, develop and distribute products, manage volunteer programs, and administer educational and outreach projects."

Dennis Long's background is in high tech corporate general management, sales, marketing, and business development. Previously, Dennis combined this acumen with his passion for the marine environment in nonprofit management positions such as the President of the San Mateo Coast Natural History Association Board of Directors. That group, working with the California Department of Parks and Recreation, has been involved in fundraising, public education and outreach efforts including the kick-off of a multi-million dollar project to finance and develop a Marine Education Center at A¿o Nuevo State Reserve. He has also been a docent at A¿o Nuevo for eight years, where he has interpreted the natural history of northern elephant seals to the general public.

Long succeeds Michael DeLapa, who has served as the Foundation's Interim Executive Director since its inception in 1996. DeLapa was instrumental in creating and overseeing the Foundation through its early days and will remain on its Board of Directors.

The Foundation is also benefiting from renewed interest and support from around the Sanctuary community. At its recent retreat, the Sanctuary Advisory Council (SAC) concluded that making the Foundation a substantial sponsorship, public relations, and educational tool should be its top priority. "We recognize that the Foundation is uniquely positioned to accomplish many goals shared throughout the Sanctuary community," says SAC Chair Dr. Steven Webster. "The Council is committed to being more active in interfacing and creating programs with the Foundation over the next year."

This new interest in designing creative ways to fund the education, research and resource protection goals of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary comes on top of a push by the Clinton Administration to raise the budget for the National Marine Sanctuary Program budget from $14 million to $29 million in the 2000 Federal Budget. Congress is now debating that proposal.

"In the past, we have not demonstrated the committment to our oceans that we have to our land resources," stated Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel). "However, Americans are telling us that they find the deterioration of our oceans distressing and they want us to do something about it. That is why I will continue to lead my colleagues in the battle for more equitable ocean funding."

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