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.
1999/2000 Awards
Public Official: | Congressman Sam Farr, Sally Yozell |
Citizen: | Scott Benson |
Conservation: | Steve Shimek |
Education: | Mike Guardino |
Science/Research: | Dr. Francisco Chavez |
Business: | Duke Energy Power Services |
Organization: | The City of Santa Cruz |
Special Recognition: | Dr. Marcia Mc Nutt |
Public Official: Congressman Sam Farr
Congressman Sam Farr, 17th District, is a long-time supporter of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. In the 1999 session, he led the California congressional delegation in supporting reauthorization of the National Marine Sanctuary Act, supported increased funding for the Sanctuaries' program and promoted additional protection for offshore rocks and islands along the California Coast.
Public Official: Sally Yozell
Ms. Sally Yozell, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Oceans and Atmosphere, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, worked tirelessly in support of the programs' historic budget increase for Year 2000 which ensures that the Sanctuary will have funds available to support and expand its critical programs.
Citizen: Scott Benson
Mr. Scott Benson, graduate student at Moss Landing Marine Labs, is the coordinator of the BeachCOMBERS Project, a 35-member volunteer group that monitors 11 local beaches, collects data to assess trends in beachcast marine birds and mammals and assists with early detection of mortality events caused by natural and anthropogenic perturbations.
Conservation: Steve Shimek
Mr. Steve Shimek, Sanctuary Conservation Working Group member and Founder/Executive Director of The Otter Project, has played a key role in efforts to recover the southern sea otter.
Education: Mike Guardino
Mr. Mike Guardino, Sanctuary Education Panel member and Chemistry, Physics and Subtidal Ecology Teacher at Carmel High School, supervises student research dives and hands-on data collection in the Sanctuary, and encourages student advocacy for effective fisheries management.
Science/Research: Dr. Francisco Chavez
Dr. Francisco Chavez, Biological Oceanographer at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, is involved in current research related to the biology and chemistry of the ocean in relation to global change, development of instrumentation systems for long-term ocean observing, and is recognized for his work related to changes in the coastal waters of Monterey Bay.
Business: Duke Energy Power Services
Duke Energy Power Services is the primary business sponsor of the Sanctuary's new dramatic topographical map and also sponsors a Sanctuary intern who is just completing a fascinating teacher/student lesson plan for area science teachers that incorporates the map.
Organization: The City of Santa Cruz
The City of Santa Cruz has been a co-sponsor of the Sanctuary Birthday Celebration, has worked with the Sanctuary's Water Quality Protection Program to develop a Model Urban Runoff Program and has generously donated office space for an education branch office of the MBNMS on the Santa Cruz Wharf.
Special Recognition: Dr. Marcia Mc Nutt
Dr. Marcia McNutt is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute. This research institute has made great strides in developing new technology to facilitate exciting discoveries in the oceans. Dr. McNutt has also greatly expanded MBARI's role, making it an effective voice in marine policy and conservation.