Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium (MASGC)-supported programs are recognized leaders in protecting Gulf of Mexico ecosystems, increasing resilience in coastal communities and bringing creative environmental literacy activities into classrooms.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Gulf of Mexico Division recently announced its 2022 Gulf Guardian Awards, and MASGC Engagement and Education Team members, their programs and their collaborators received four of the 10 awards presented during the Gulf of Mexico Conference on April 27 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
“The Gulf of Mexico is a vulnerable ecosystem that requires innovative approaches and proactive measures to protect this national resource,” Marc Wyatt, director of the EPA Gulf of Mexico Division, said. “Over the past two years, the Gulf Guardian award winners have continued to think ‘outside of the box’ during challenging circumstances due to COVID-19. These Gulf Guardian Awards are an important way to recognize the valuable efforts of all their hard work to protect the environmental health of the Gulf of Mexico.”
“There are many people doing outstanding work to improve the lives and livelihoods of the people who live, work and recreate on the coast,” said MASGC Director LaDon Swann. “I am grateful to the all recipients of Gulf Guardian awards this year. It is important to recognize those whose programs serve as examples to others.”
Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant team members were recognized with these awards:
The Gulf of Mexico Division initiated the Gulf Guardian awards in 2000 to recognize and honor the businesses, community groups, individuals and agencies that are taking positive steps to keep the Gulf healthy, beautiful and productive. Awards were given in 2022 in four categories: civic/non-profit organization, individual, partnerships and youth environmental education.Other award winners included:
- St. Tammany Parish Government and Pontchartrain Conservancy for “Home system inspections in decentralized wastewater areas of Bayou Liberty,” first place, Civic/Non-Profit Organization category.
- Houston Advanced Research Center for “Galveston Bay Report Card,” second place, Civic/Non-Profit Organization category.
- Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program for “Egery Flats Restoration Project,” third place, Civic/Non-Profit Organization category.
- The Nature Conservancy in Alabama for “Lightning Point Restoration Project,” first place, Partnerships category.
- Gulf of Mexico Seagrass Monitoring Community of Practice for “Advancing best practices for seagrass monitoring in the Gulf of Mexico,” third place, Partnerships category.
- Andrew Barron, Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program, first place, Individual category.