Press Release

NOAA NAMES LOCAL ENVIRONMENTALIST EARTH DAY HERO

Monterey Bay Sanctuary Pays Tribute to Elkhorn Slough Foundation Director

The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary presented Mark Silberstein, director of the Elkhorn Slough Foundation, with NOAA's prestigious Environmental Hero award. This is the fifth consecutive year in which the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has honored citizens around the United States for their efforts to "protect and preserve" the nation's environment.

In a letter of congratulations, Vice President Al Gore thanked Silberstein for his "steadfast dedication to preserving our nation's environment…With your help, we have repeatedly and successfully demonstrated that economic growth can go hand-in-hand with efforts to sustain and protect the environment."

Silberstein has been a community leader on local coastal and estuarine issues for more than 20 years. As director of the Elkhorn Slough Foundation, he has focused on finding solutions to minimize the impacts of land uses on downstream water quality in the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve. The reserve is adjacent to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Over many years at the Elkhorn Slough Foundation, Silberstein has developed highly successful watershed education, research and volunteer programs, and helped restore critical estuarine and steamside habitats. More recently, he has been a tireless leader in land conservation and acquisition within the watershed, steering the Foundation into the role of land trust and land steward.

"His unselfish dedication to conserving and understanding coastal ecosystems and motivating others to get involved and care, makes Mark a stellar Environmental Hero," says William J. Douros, superintendent of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. "My hope is that the many citizen conservationists in our region can sustain Mark's lengthy tenure as an environmental leader to help us all understand and protect these critical sanctuary resources."

Silberstein received his award today at a ceremony at the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, accompanied by family, friends, and colleagues. Elgie Hostein, senior advisor, U.S. Department of Commerce, was on hand representing NOAA and the Clinton Administration.

The Monterey Bas Sanctuary and Elkhorn Slough Reserve also unveiled Ten Ways You Can Help Make Earth Day Every Day. "Everyone has the chance to be an environmental hero this Earth Day, and every day," said Becky Christensen, manager of the Elkhorn Slough Reserve, unveiling the list:

1. Volunteer! Contact organizations like the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, Baynet, Save Our Shores, Friends of the Elephant Seal, Watershed Institute, and the Coastal Watershed Council to find out how you can help.
2. Plant Natives. Landscape your home, business, or neighborhood creek with California native plants to help provide suitable wildlife habitat.
3. Prevent Wildlife Entanglement. Cut up and throw away plastic six pack rings, and pick up discarded fishing line and plastic bags.
4. Pick Up Trash. Take a trash bag with you whenever you walk and pick up litter. Participate in the fall National Coastal Clean Up Day or organize your own neighborhood cleanup anytime.
5. Celebrate Thoughtfully. Never release party balloons. Sealife can be harmed or even killed when balloons, mistaken for jellyfish, are eaten.
6. Eat Sustainably Harvested Fish. Refer to the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch or Audubon's Seafood Lover's Almanac in making your seafood selections, and educate others.
7. Dispose of Hazardous Waste Properly. Recycle used motor oil at any Kragen or Jiffy Lube - it's FREE! Take paint, pesticides, and antifreeze to a hazardous waste disposal site. Keep your car from leaking
8. Consume Fewer Resources. Evaluate your consumption habits. Hang your laundry to dry, limit your purchase of disposable items, carry canvas bags to the grocery store, and carpool or ride your bike.
9. Protect The Watershed. Never dump waste onto the street or into storm drains. Storm drains flow directly into rivers, creeks, and ultimately the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary where we fish and swim.
10. Think! Take time to think about how your actions are affecting the environment that you live in. Consider what you buy, how you live, where you recreate. Enjoy life while being thoughtful of the needs of others, both today and in the future.

The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is one of 12 marine sanctuaries administered by the Commerce Department's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The Sanctuary extends from Marin to Cambria, encompassing 300 miles of shoreline and 5,322 square miles of ocean. It is home to numerous mammals, seabirds, fish, invertebrates, plants, and other life forms in a remarkably productive coastal environment. Information on the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary may be found at http://montereybay.nos.noaa.gov

Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve is one of 25 reserves administered by the NOAA in partnership with coastal states. Managed by the California Department of Fish and Game, the reserve encompasses 1,400 acres of oak woodlands, salt marshes, grasslands. Mudflats, freshwater ponds, Monterey pine and coastal scrub. Visit http://www.ocrm.nos.noaa.gov/nerr/ for more information on the National Estuarine Research Reserve System.