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 |
| Citizen: | Leon and Joanne Garden |
| Conservation: | Vicki Nichols |
| Education: | Liz Love |
| Science/Research: | Dr. Steve Eittreim |
| Business: | West Marine |
| Organization: | Friends of the Elephant Seal |
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.