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.
2005/2006 Awards
| Ruth Vreeland Public Official: | Ceil Cirillo |
| Citizen: | Ron Massengill |
| Conservation: | Jim Webb |
| Education: | Kenton Parker |
| Science/Research: | Dr. Mark Carr |
| Business: | Adventures by the Sea |
| Organization: | Natural Resources Conservation Service |
| Special Recognition: | Dr. Chris Harrold |
Ruth Vreeland Public Official: Ceil Cirillo
Ms. Ceil Cirillo is the Redevelopment Agency Director for the City of Santa Cruz. She has been instrumental in the development of the plans for a Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary visitor center in Santa Cruz. Ms. Cirillo has not only championed the project, but has dedicated her own time and that of her staff to the numerous project elements. She has provided critical guidance on the architectural planning and processes required to ensure the success of a project of this magnitude. Ms. Cirillo personally lobbied for federal funding and has worked closely with Congressman Sam Farr's staff to secure $1.5 million of funding toward the project. Ms. Cirillo demonstrates all of the attributes one would hope to find in a Ruth Vreeland Government Official Award recipient: personal commitment, determination, passion and a love of serving her community by making it better for all.
Citizen: Ron Massengill
Ron Massengill has been involved in the sanctuary since 1997. For the past two years Mr. Massengill has served as a Sanctuary Advisory Council (SAC) alternate. Mr. Massengill was Co-Chair of the Conservation Working Group, and served as a SAC at-large representative. He has also been an important liaison to the fishing community as a member of the Cambria Fishing Club. He has also been a member of the Davidson Seamount Working Group. Along with his wife Erica, he actively volunteers for the non-profit organization The Friends of the Elephant Seal, and has volunteered for the Sanctuary's Beach COMBERS program since 2001.
Conservation: Jim Webb
Mr. Jim Webb has been the President of the Cambria Fishing Club for the past three years. Mr. Webb has been involved in the Nearshore Fisheries Management Plan Advisory Group and has been dedicated to the implementation of the Marine Life Protection Act Regional Stakeholder Group. He represents the oldest fishing club on the Central Coast. Mr. Webb is extremely knowledgeable about marine resources and their uses and has been a progressive voice for conservation and sustainable fishing for many years. He developed his interest in conservation through his parents' love of the mountains and the ocean.
Education: Kenton Parker
Mr. Kenton Parker has been the Education Coordinator of the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve for almost a decade. In that time, Mr. Parker has inspired countless children and teachers with the wonders in their backyard and beyond. Mr. Parker has also inspired or mentored many of the marine educators in the region. He has served on the Sanctuary's Education Panel for approximately a decade, and has assisted in the development of the Sanctuary's education plan and several of the action plans in the Sanctuary's proposed new management plan. Most recently, he piloted a new virtual slough trip for students in Seaside, bringing them experiences they would not have otherwise had. Mr. Parkers has also been instrumental in the development of the Sanctuary's Multicultural programming. He worked diligently with Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary staff to develop the Sanctuary's Watershed Academy after school program The program connects the students of the Pajaro School District with the Slough and the sanctuary. His desire to reach students has pushed him to continually develop new and innovative programming for all marine educators in the region.
Science/Research: Dr. Mark Carr
Dr. Mark Carr is an Associate Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of California Santa Cruz. Dr. Carr has actively engaged in bringing sound and innovative science to the marine conservation policy arena. Dr. Carr's tireless efforts to inform policy decisions in California have profoundly improved the state's Marine Life Protection Act process, and will undoubtedly result in a suite of well designed marine protected areas along the Central coast. These efforts have been in addition to his active research and teaching schedule at the University of California at Santa Cruz and represents his significant commitment and sacrifice for the citizens of California, and for future generations.
Business: Adventures by the Sea
Adventures by the Sea is an eco-tourism business owned by Frank and Michelle Knight that introduces Monterey Peninsula visitors to the wonders of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary through guided kayak and bike tours. Their goal is to educate individuals about the wonders of the marine environment in the Sanctuary and inspire visitors to help protect marine ecosystems. Over the past 18 years of its existence, they have been proud supporters of the goals and objectives of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. They have actively been involved in many issues relating to the Sanctuary. They worked with the Sanctuary on developing wildlife viewing guidelines and most recently have participated as a representative stakeholder for non-consumptive recreation on the State's Central Coast Regional Stakeholder Group for the Marine Life Protection Act Initiative. They have also worked with Monterey Bay Aquarium staff on developing appropriate signage for kayaking entry points along the shores of Monterey and Pacific Grove.
Organization: Natural Resources Conservation Service
Natural Resources Conservation Service has been a key partner of the Sanctuary for over 10 years. By providing technical assistance and outreach to hundreds of farmers and ranchers in the Sanctuary region, they help the agricultural community in adopting voluntary practices to improve conservation measures on the extensive agricultural lands in the Sanctuary's watersheds. Natural Resources Conservation Service was instrumental to the development of the Sanctuary's Agriculture and Rural Lands Plan (Ag Plan), working to identify ways agencies and farmers can work together to reduce runoff of sediment, nitrates and pesticides to our local rivers and coastal waters. Since the Ag Plan was completed in 1999, the Natural Resources Conservation Service has been a member of the Agriculture Water Quality Alliance committee that carries out the plan. In November 2005, Agriculture Water Quality Alliance received the Governor's Environmental and Economic Leadership Award for its innovated approaches to land management and protection of the Sanctuary.
Special Recognition: Dr. Chris Harrold
Dr. Chris Harrold is the Director of Conservation Research for the Monterey Bay Aquarium. He is also the Chair of the Research Advisory Panel where he has worked hard on updating policies and protocols to invigorate the group into addressing Sanctuary actions plans. Dr. Harrold serves both the Sanctuary Advisory Council and on the Special Marine Protected Area action plan team. Dr. Harrold is a senior advisor to the SIMoN program and sponsors SIMoN staff through the Montery Bay Aquarium. Dr. Harrold has also served n the SIMoN Science Committee. He is a member and participant of the Sanctuary Currents conference, and a strong supporter and advisor to marine conservation issues.