The 7th Annual Conservation & Environmental Stewardship Awards Program

2009 Winners

The Coastal Bend Bays Foundation (CBBF) is pleased to announce the Winners of the 2009 Conservation & Environmental Stewardship Awards Program. The awards program is designed to recognize and honor outstanding Coastal Bend citizens, educators, businesses, governing bodies and other entities that have made significant contributions to the protection of the natural resources, habitats and native species of the Coastal Bend. Deadline for submitting nominations was October 5, 2009.

Public Service:  Mr. Ed Hegen, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Coastal Fisheries Division - For a public servant whose efforts and leadership on behalf of the Coastal Bend Region exceed the requirement of his or her job.

Citizen Volunteer:  Ms. Venice Scheurich, Coastal Bend Sierra Club AND Mina Williams, Ph.D., Coastal Bend Sierra Club - For a citizen who dedicates time and energy to the preservation of the Coastal Bend Region without any expectation of compensation or recognition.

Business and Industry:  Pelican Island Stabilization Project - Port of Corpus Christi Authority, Texas General Land Office and the US Department of Interior Minerals Managment Services - For a Coastal bend company and their leadership in giving protection of the region's environments the high priorty they deserve.

Nonprofit Group or Organization:  Innovation Academy for Engineering, Environmental & Marine Science - For a nonprofit organization that has worked to preserve the region's heritage, protect the natural environment, and nurture the prosperity of the Coastal Bend.

Public Awareness:  Mr. David Newstead, Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program - For an institution or individual for dedication and effectiveness in raising public awareness about the natural resources of the Coastal Bend.

Public Awareness:  Lee Fuiman, Ph.D., The University of Texas Marine Science Institute - For an institution or individual for dedication and effectiveness in raising public awareness about the natural resources of the Coastal Bend.

Elementary Education:  Ms. Jenne Berlanga, Montclair Elementary School, CCISD - For an individual teachers dedication and effectiveness in educating Texas students about the natural resources of the Coastal Bend.

Middle School Education:  Ms. Katie Crysup-Sikes, Seashore Middle Academy - For an individual teachers dedication and effectiveness in educating middle school students about the natural resources of the Coastal Bend.

Middle School Education:  Ms. Norma Morgan, Cunningham Middle School, CCISD - For an individual teachers dedication and effectiveness in education middle school studetns about the natural resources of the Coastal Bend.

High School Education:  Mr. Chad Huckabee, South Texas Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalists - For an individual teachers dedication and effectiveness in educating high school students about the natural resources of the Coastal Bend.

Higher Education - University and College:  John Wes Tunnell, Jr., Ph.D., Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi - For an institution, professor, or instructors dedication and effectiveness in educating Texans about the natural resources of the Coastal Bend.

Coastal Bend Bays Foundation Chairman's Award:  Mr. Robert Wallace, Jr., Wallace and Wheeler - Given for commitment to and extraordinary effectiveness in preserving Texas' rich coastal heritage. Special category selected by CBBF President.

CBBF area of interest includes the counties of Aransas, Bee, Brooks, Duval, Jim Wells, Kenedy, Kleberg, Live Oak, McMullen, Nueces, Refugio, and San Patricio. We are a membership-based, public interest organization incorporated 1991 and dedicated to the conservation of freshwater and coastal natural resources for current and future generations through consensus, facilitation, communication, advocacy, research and education.

• CBBF Press Release - 2009 Winners of the Coastal Bend's Premiere Environmental Awards Program Announced, October 28, 2009 (updated).
• Caller Times Article by David Sikes, Outdoors Columnist.

2009 Selection Committee

Conservation & Environmental Stewardship Award: The award criteria is outlined by a committee of CBBF. Nominations are solicited from the Coastal Bend Area and an independent Selection Committee determines the winners in each of the categories.

• Chair - John "Wes" Tunnell, Jr., Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies, Center for Coastal Studies, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.
• Education - Linda Simpson, Education Service Center, Region II
• Business - Alan Bligh, Better Business Bureau
• Non Profit Groups or Organizations - Josephine Miller, San Patricio Economic Development Corporation
• State & Federal Agencies - Jim Tolan, Ph.D., Texas Parks & Wildlife Department; Susan Clewis, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality; and Robyn Cobb, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
• Public Citizens - Bob Corrigan, Corrigan benefits LLP
• Industry - John La Rue, Port of Corpus Christi Authority
• Chairmans Award - Carlton "Buddy" Stanley, CBBF President

Previous Award Winners

2008 Winners

CBBF Chairman’s Award – Bruce Mouton, Nueces Estuary Advisory Council, TCEQ; Citizen Volunteer – Teresa Carrillo; Coastal Community – City of Ingleside; Elementary Education – Michelle Horine, Kritters 4 Kids Program, Coastal Bend Wildlife Photo Contest; Middle School Education – Colleen Duzich, Incarnate Word Middle School, CCISD; High School Education – Tina Dellinger, T-STEM, Foy H. Moody High School, CCISD; Higher Education – Jennifer Smith-Engle, Ph.D., Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi; Higher Education – Gregory Wayne Stunz, Ph.D., Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies, TAMUCC; Organization or Nonprofit Group – Sunny Beaches; Public Awareness – Surfrider Foundation, Texas Coastal Bend Chapter; Public Service – Robyn Cobb, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Small Business – Dinah Bowman Studio and Gallery; Lifetime Environmental Leadership Award – Ray Allen, Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program

2007 Winners

CBBF Chairman's Award - Joe C. Moseley, P.E., Ph.D., HDR Shiner Moseley & Associates; Business and Industry - Flint Hills Resources, a member of Port Industries of Corpus Christi; Citizen Volunteer - Lowell Kepp, M.D.; Coastal Community - San Patricio County, Texas; Elementary Education - Ms. Debra McQueen, Montclair Elementary School, CCISD; Middle School Education - Ms. Tasha Pate-Smith, A.C. Blunt Middle School, APISD; High School Education - Mr. Vinap Dulip, Foy H. Moody High School, CCISD; Higher Education – University/ College - David McKee, Ph.D., Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi; Nonprofit Group or Organization - San Patricio Soil and Water Conservation District; Public Awareness - Jim Needham, Ph.D., Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi; Public Service - Mr. Beau Hardegree, US Fish & Wildlife Service; Small Business - Jerry B's Kayak Sales, Jerry and Debbie Book; Special Achievement Award - Mr. Tom Ballou, Sherwin Alumnia & Mr. Jim Naismith, San Patricio Municipal Water District

2006 Winners

CBBF Chairman's Award - Paul Montagna, Ph.D., Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies, TAMUCC; Business and Industry - King Ranch; Citizen Volunteer - Ms. Ernie Edmundson; Coastal Community - Fennessey Ranch, Mr. Brien O'Connor Dunn & Ms. Sally Crofutt; Elementary Education - Ms. Rebecca Martinez, Coastal Bend Council of Governments; Middle School Education - Mr. Richard Gonzales, Science & Spanish Club Network, Gulf of Mexico Foundation; High School Education - David Bartling, Ph.D., Flour Bluff High School, FBISD; Higher Education - University/College - James E. Silliman, Ph.D. Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi; Nonprofit Group or Organization - The Harvey Weil Sportsman Conservation Trust of Rotary Club of Corpus Christi; Public Awareness - Mr. David Sikes, Corpus Christi Caller Times; Public Service - Joan Holt, Ph.D. and Mr. Scott Holt, University of Texas Marine Science Institute; Small Business - Padre Island Safaris, Mr. Billy Sandifer

2005 Winners

CBBF Chairman's Award - Pollution Prevention Partnership; Business and Industry - Port of Corpus Christi Environmental Management System; Citizen Volunteer - Mr. Ray Little; Coastal Community - City of Port Aransas, Port Aransas Chamber of Commerce, Port Aransas Tourists & Conventions Bureau; Elementary Education - Ms. Shelly Veit, Montclair Elementary School, CCISD; Middle School Education - Mr. Cliff Strain, Flour Bluff Middle School, FBISD; High School Education - Mr. Steve Qualia, Mary Carroll High School, CCISD; Higher Education - University/College - Elizabeth Smith, Ph.D., Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi; Individual Coastal Contribution - Mr. Johnny French; Nonprofit Group or Organization - Coastal Conservation Association – Corpus Christi Chapter; Public Awareness - Mr. Jay Tarkington, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi; Public Service - Mr. Kyle Spiller, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department; Small Business - Cummins CPA, PC, Manti Cummins; Special Achievement Award - Ms. Lynn Edwards, Save Cedar Bayou

2004 Winners

CBBF Chairman's Award - Nueces Delta Project: Tarpon Tomorrow; Business and Industry - Equistar Chemicals, a Lyondell Company; Citizen Volunteer - Mrs. Dotty Bicarell; Coastal Community - City of Rockport, Texas; Elementary Education - Ms. Martha McLeod, Fulton Learning Center; Middle School Education - Ms. Robin Flores, A.C. Blunt Middle School, APISD; High School Education - Ms. Becky Sullivan; Higher Education - University/College - Dr. Rick Tinnin, University of Texas Marine Science Institute; Individual Coastal Contribution - Mr. Ed Harte; Nonprofit Group or Organization - Audubon Outdoor Club of Corpus Christi; Public Awareness - Texas State Aquarium; Public Service - Mr. Tony Amos, Animal Rehabilitation Keep; Small Business - Slowride Guide Services

2003 Winners

CBBF Chairman's Award - Nueces Delta Project: Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program; The Nature Conservancy of Texas, and the City of Corpus Christi; Business and Industry - Flint Hills Resources, LP; Citizen Volunteer - Mrs. Pat Suter; Coastal Community - City of Aransas Pass, Texas; Education and Public Awareness - Dr. Henry Hildebrand; Individual Coastal Contribution - Dr. Donna Shaver, USGS, Padre Island National Seashore; Nonprofit Group or Organization - Coastal Bend Land Trust Wildlife Photo Contest; Public Service - Mr. Art Morris, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department; Small Business - Gill's Nursery

Contact 361-882-3439 or awards@baysfoundation.org FMI