The 6th Annual Conservation & Environmental Stewardship Awards Program

2008 Winners

The Coastal Bend Bays Foundation (CBBF) is pleased to announce the Winners of the 2008 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 9, 2008.

Public Service:  Ms. Robyn Cobb, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Corpus Christi, Texas. - 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. Teresa A. Carrillo, Sejita, Texas - For a citizen who dedicates time and energy to the preservation of the Coastal Bend Region without any expectation of compensation or recognition.

Coastal Community:  City of Ingleside - For farsighted public stewardship over the Coastal Bend's resources and for leadership in enhancing the Coastal Bend environments.

Small Business:  Dinah Bowman Studio and Gallery, Portland, Texas - For a Coastal Bend small business for leadership in giving protection of the region's environments the high priority they deserve.

Nonprofit Group or Organization:  Sunny Beaches, Corpus Christi, Texas – For a nonprofit Coastal Bend organization that has worked to preserve the region's heritage, protect the natural environment, and nurture the prosperity of the Coastal Bend.

Public Awareness:  Surfrider Foundation, Texas Coastal Bend Chapter, Corpus Christi, Texas - For an institution or individual for dedication and effectiveness in raising Texans public awareness about the natural resources of the Coastal Bend.

Elementary Education:  Ms. Michelle Horine, Kritters 4 Kids, Coastal Bend Wildlife Photo Contest, Corpus Christi, Texas - For an individual teacher for dedication and effectiveness in educating Texas students about the natural resources of the Coastal Bend.

Middle School Education:  Ms. Colleen Duzich, Incarnate Word Middle School, Corpus Christi, Texas - For an individual teacher for dedication and effectiveness in educating Texas students about the natural resources of the Coastal Bend.

High School Education:  Ms. Tina Dellinger, T-STEM, The Innovation Academy for Engineering, Environmental & Marine Science, Foy H. Moody High School, Corpus Christi, Texas - For an individual teacher for dedication and effectiveness in educating Texas students about the natural resources of the Coastal Bend.

Higher Education - University and College:  Jennifer Smith-Engle, Ph.D., Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, Texas AND Gregory Wayne Stunz, Ph.D., Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, Texas - For an institution or individual professor or instructor for dedication and effectiveness in educating Texans about the natural resources of the Coastal Bend.

Coastal Bend Bays Foundation Chairman's Award:  Mr. Bruce Moulton, Nueces Estuary Advisory Council, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality - Given for commitment to and extraordinary effectiveness in preserving Texas' rich coastal heritage. Special category selected by CBBF President.

Lifetime Environmental Leadership Award:   Mr. Ray Allen, Coastal Bend Bays & Esuaties Proram - This special award was presented on behalf of the Coastal Bend Bays Foundation Board of Directors in recognition of a lifetime of environmental leadership in the Coastal Bend.

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 - 2008 Winners of the Coastal Bend's Premiere Environmental Awards Program Announced, October 20, 2008.
• CorpusChristiDaily.com article.

2008 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

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