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Monterey
Bay National Marine Sanctuary Awards
In 1993,
in celebration of the first anniversary of the Monterey Bay National Marine
Sanctuary, a series of awards were presented to people and organizations
who contributed significantly to the development of the Monterey Bay National
Marine Sanctuary through education, conservation, research, business,
political, and public involvement. In subsequent years, awards have been presented to
people and organizations that have greatly contributed to the implementation
of programs geared towards meeting the goals of the Monterey Bay National
Marine Sanctuary.
2001/2002
Awards
Public
Official: Mayor Sandra Koffman
Sandra Koffman was elected Mayor of the City of Pacific Grove in 1994,
and is currently serving her fourth consecutive term. Mayor Koffman has
been a strong supporter of the Sanctuary and marine conservation. In addition
to her professional work in support of the Sanctuary, she has volunteered
as a Docent at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and co-founded the Pacific Grove
Eco-Corps and the Pacific Grove Residents’ Association. She is owner
of Bottomline Communications, an international advertising agency, and
The Koffman Gallery ”Art with a Smile” with husband Daniel.
Citizen:
Leon and Joanne Garden
Leon and Joanne Garden are avid SCUBA divers and award-winning underwater
photographers. Leon began SCUBA diving and underwater photography over
fifty years ago; Joanne has been diving for 22 years. Both are involved
in annual fish identification and “count” dives; in Underwater
Clean-up projects; and serve as Charter volunteers at the Monterey Bay
Aquarium. Leon and Joanne have also been instrumental in organizing and
“reviving” local diving clubs. Joanne has been an advocate for
creating the city of Monterey’s Ed Rickett’s Underwater Park.
The Gardens spend their underwater time mostly with cameras in hand to
capture the beauty of the world. Below. They have shared their work with
many groups through their multi-projector slide shows set to music. The
favorite thing they take from the sea is photographs!
Conservation:
Vicki Nichols
Vicki Nichols received her B.S. in human ecology from the College of the
Atlantic in 1984 and directed their Natural History Museum from 1984 to
1988. Vicki obtained an M.S. in environmental studies and marine policy
from Yale University's School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. While
at Yale, Vicki developed educational programs at the Peabody Museum of
Natural History and conducted research on Alaskan wetlands and Caribbean
sea turtle conservation. After graduating in 1990, Ms. Nichols joined
the Marine Sanctuaries Division at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA), where she developed national oil spill contingency
plans and co-wrote the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary designation
documents. Vicki became Executive Director of Save Our Shores in 1993,
and served until 1999, when she became a half-time Director of Research
and Policy and full-time mom to her first child, Ari. Ms. Nichols continues
to serve on a number of committees and task forces that address ocean
policy, including the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Advisory
Council and the Technical Advisory Committee to the California Office
of Oil Spill Prevention and Response.
Education:
Liz Love
Liz Love has spent the past nine years weaving the marine conservation
message and developing the Sanctuary's education program. Her tireless
efforts have produced a strong network of educators and supporters who
have promoted and enhanced the public's knowledge of the Sanctuary. The
Sanctuary boasts a healthy number of educational brochures on resource
issues and topics, beautiful publications and posters and events covering
a variety of topics. As a one woman show, she relied heavily on partnerships
and paved the way to continued productive relationships. Liz grew the
education staff to 5 people, which have spread along the coast and are
representing the Sanctuary in Cambria, Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz, as
well as Monterey. Liz chose to step down from the Education Coordinator
position in 2000 to work part time and spend more time with her family,
and is an invaluable member of the education team. As we approach the
Sanctuary's ten year anniversary, it seems fitting to acknowledge Liz's
continuing contributions to Sanctuary Education.
Science/Research:
Dr. Steve Eittreim
Dr. Steve Eittreim has recently completed a multi-year USGS study of the geology
and geologic processes of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Steve
provided leadership and coordination of a large group of geologists, oceanographers,
and sedimentologists investigating a spectrum of research topics ranging
from regional current structure to seafloor mapping to coastal retreat.
He also participated in numerous cruises and individual studies of his
own. His own research has contributed markedly to new maps of the Sanctuary
and a new understanding of sediment distribution and processes on the
seafloor. A hallmark of the effort that he led is the publication of a
CD with maps and data and a forthcoming special issue of the journal "Marine
Geology" which will detail the research investigations of USGS scientists
and collaborators over the past five years. Both of these products will
be useful for years to come to ALL researchers in the Monterey Bay community.
Steve has served the MBNMS well through his leadership and and research.
Business:
West Marine
West Marine actively encourages volunteerism and charitable contributions
and has established a fulltime grant program department which actively
works to preserve and protect the marine environment for future generations
and to promote the fun and camaraderie of recreational boating. With an
interest in maintaining our waterways and ensuring that they remain pristine
and ecologically viable for future generations, West Marine has worked
together with like-minded organizations across the country, helping to
turn the tide from exploitation to preservation of our fragile salt and
freshwater ecosystems. Partnerships in projects related to marine conservation
include: American Oceans Campaign, Monterey Bay Aquarium, National Clean
Boating Campaign, Ecology Action, Marine Mammal Rescue Center, Earthshare,
and Save Our Shores.
Organization:
Friends of the Elephant Seal
Friends of the Elephant Seal is a non-profit organization dedicated to
educating people about elephant seals and other marine life and to teaching
stewardship for the ocean. The elephant seal colony is located at Piedras
Blancas. From the first seals, who graced the beach with their presence
on a late November morning in 1990, the colony has grown to around 7500,
with about 1900 pups born in 1999. Since 1997, Friends of the Elephant
Seal volunteer docents have been at the vista point overlooking the colony,
helping visitors understand these marine mammals. The organization also
provides guides, bus tours, and slide presentations at local schools,
campgrounds and civic organizations. The organization’s goal is that
each visitor will leave with a greater appreciation of these amazing creatures
and a greater respect for wildlife and the marine environment.
Past
MBNMS Award Winners
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