2004
Award categories and winners are:
Public Service For a public
servant whose efforts and leadership on behalf of the Coastal Bend Region exceed
the requirement of his or her job. Mr. Tony Amos,
Port Aransas, Texas Mr. Amos' decades of selfless dedication to conservation of
animal resources has taken him all over south Texas, helping with dolphins, turtles,
birds, javelina, and much more. He created a wide range of programs, including
his famous beach trash survey which he has continued since in the 1970's. He is
also a founding member of the Marine Mammal Stranding Network and he founded the
Animal Rehabilitation Keep (ARK). All of this work was done on his own time and
at his own expense.
Citizen Volunteer For a citizen
who dedicates time and energy to the preservation of the Coastal Bend Region without
any expectation of compensation or recognition.
Dotty Bricarell,
Corpus Christi, Texas Ms. Bricarell's efforts to organize volunteers and participate
in the annual clean-up of Padre Island spoil islands have involved hundreds of
citizens for over 13 years. She has organized the cleanup of Padre Island spoil
islands, recruiting up to 75 volunteers and 20 boats per year that collect hundreds
of bags of garbage with each cleanup.
Coastal Community
For farsighted public stewardship over the Coastal Bend's resources and for leadership
in enhancing the Coastal Bend environment.
City of Rockport
The City of Rockport, for achieving Blue Wave Beach distinction, for replenishing
beach shoreline while maintaining shorebird and other bird habitat, for their
"Tree USA City" status, and for instilling greater appreciation of the relationship
between the natural ecology and the region's economy. In addition, the City of
Rockport supports Hummer Fest, and encourages the protection of hummingbird habitat.
Business & Industry For a Coastal Bend company for leadership in giving
protection of the region's environments the high priority they deserve.
Equistar Chemicals, LP Under the auspices of their "Global Care Day,"
Equistar employees have participated in Nature Conservancy projects in the Coastal
Bend. The company has annually brought to these efforts 40-45 employees that provided
technical expertise and labor at the Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program Nueces
Delta Preserve and the Nature Conservancy's Francine Cohn Preserve. The efforts
of these employees have led to the construction of facilities, trails, signage,
parking lots, brush clearing, and other habitat enhancement.
Small Business For a Coastal Bend small business for leadership in giving
protection of the region's environments the high priority they deserve.
Slowride Guide Services, Aransas Pass, Texas Slowride Guide Services
has participated in the Texas Adopt-A-Beach Cleanup for several years, providing
recreational kayaking for young volunteers and also cleaning up shorelines. Slowride
plays a role in protecting Redfish Bay sea grass by serving on Texas Parks & Wildlife's
Sea Grass Task Force. Slowride also adopted Lighthouse Lakes Kayak Trails. The
company also does monofilament, plastic and glass recycling, most from trash retrieved
from the shoreline or the environment. Slowride promotes responsible use of natural
resources on their liability release forms, "I will tread lightly while visiting
& will not litter of let any trash blow away." What they preach, they practice.
Non Profit Organization 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.
Audubon
Outdoor Club of Corpus Christi, Inc. For the far-sighted actions of Audubon
Outdoor Club (AOC)in preserving habitat - the Fred Jones Sanctuary, the Louise
Trant Sanctuary, the Held/Moran Nature Preserve, the Packery Channel Sanctuary,
and the Kay McCracken Sanctuary. Members also donate time to perform work on the
sanctuaries and in the City-owned Blucher Park, where members have been working
to restore native vegetation for several years.
AOC, under the leadership
of Leah Pummill (9-term President), has partnered with the Texas Great Birding
Classic and Texas Parks & Wildlife Department to use prize money ($81,000) to
acquire Padre Island Oak Motte habitat. Oak Motte habitat on North Padre Island
is rare and threatened and is extremely important fallout habitat for migrating
birds.
Public Awareness For an institution or individual
for dedication and effectiveness in raising Texans public awareness about the
natural resources of the Coastal Bend. (New category for 2004.)
Texas State Aquarium, Corpus Christi, Texas. Texas State Aquarium, for
their emphasis on environmental education and their regional environmental focus.
TSA has served 6.5 million visitors, averaging 470,000 visitors annually. TSA
is the region's only aquarium, and is an important comprehensive venue for public
awareness. TSA's programs address habitat and conservation issues. Other important
projects The Weston Library, The Family Learning Center, the Distance Learning
Studio, Ocean in Motion, and Wonders under the Sea (transmitted across Texas and
the US via PBS) have helped educate thousands.
TSA serves 60,000 students
and 3,000 teachers annually. Keepers of the Coast connects students with the environment.
TSA collaborates with Texas General Land Office for Adopt-A-Beach, Beautify Corpus
Christi, CBBEP, CBBF, Padre Island National Seashore, Corpus Christi ISD, UTMSI,
TAMUCC. TSA has had a tremendous impact on raising the environmental awareness
of the local population.
Elementary Education For
an individual teacher for dedication and effectiveness in educating Texas students
about the natural resources of the Coastal Bend.
Martha
McLeod, Fulton Learning Center, Fulton, Texas Martha McLeod, of the Fulton
Learning Center, has performed outstandingly in her role as science teacher. She
has worked diligently to transform the Fulton Learning school grounds into an
oasis of plants, shrubs, trees, and ponds. These efforts have enhanced student's
awareness of plant and animal life. She gives her students a wealth of information
to enhance their overall environmental awareness.
Middle
School Education For an individual teacher for dedication and effectiveness
in educating Texas middle school students about the natural resources of the Coastal
Bend. Robin Flores, A.C. Blunt Middle School,
Aransas Pass, Texas Ms. Flores has spent her career teaching students about the
importance of local wetland ecology. She has participated in the Collaborative
for Excellence in Science Teaching, The Texas State Aquarium's Keepers of the
Coast, The Texas General Land Offices Adopt-A-Beach, and the Spanish and Science
Club Network. She also worked with Flint Hills Resources to create the curriculum
for Flint Hills' Learning Preserve.
High School Education
For an individual teacher for dedication and effectiveness in educating Texas
high school students about the natural resources of the Coastal Bend.
Becky Sullivan, Robstown High School, Robstown, Texas For her "hands-on"
approach to helping students gain an understanding of the functions and importance
of wetlands. In addition Ms. Sullivan has incorporated math, science, chemistry
and language arts into her approach. In 2003 Ms. Sullivan was the recipient of
an Earth Watch Fellowship, which enabled her to travel to Irkustsk, Russia to
study human impacts on Lake Baikal.
Ms. Sullivan has participated in
Texas Adopt-A-Beach, Earth Day - Bay Day, the Student Oceans Conference, and has
participated as a Master Teacher in TAMU - CC's kayak camps.
Higher Education University and College - For an institution or individual
professor or instructor for dedication and effectiveness in educating Texans about
the natural resources of the Coastal Bend.
Dr. Rick Tinnin,
Marine Education Services, University of Texas Marine Science Institute, Port
Aransas, Texas Dr. Rick Tinnin and Marine Education Services at the University
of Texas Marine Science Institute, for pioneering the "floating classroom" concept,
now visited by up to 8,000 students per year, and for teacher workshops and Elderhostel
programs which hosted 455 participants in 2003-04.
The Visitor's Center,
visited by over 30,000 each year, features displays on current research by faculty,
information on education programs, a fall and spring public seminar series, and
aquaria showcasing Gulf Coast marine habitats. Dr. Tinnin is also working on an
on-site Wetlands Education Center, a cooperative project with the US Army Corps
of Engineers which will consist of a 2.5 acres submerged and salt marsh area,
and a 1.5 acre high dunes area.
Individual Coastal
Contribution For an individual, business or organization who has made a lasting
and significant contribution to the betterment of the Coastal Bend Region.
Ed Harte, Corpus Christi, Texas For serving as the leader in creation
of Padre Island National Seashore, and helping create the City of Corpus Christi
Oil and Gas (Spill Control Committee) oversight committee that laid down environmentally
protective rules for drilling in Corpus Christi Bay.
Mr. Harte also
served on the National Audubon Society board of directors as president and brought
the national board to Corpus Christi. That brought national attention to Corpus
Christi and our ecosystems. He was a founding member of Conservation Federation
of Texas along with Dr. Hans Suter. This was the first state-wide conservation
group. Mr. Harte was instrumental in the passage of legislation that led
to the creation of the Big Thicket Preserve in East Texas. While publisher of
the Caller Times, Mr. Harte started an environmental column. This column was written
for many years by Dr. Hans Suter. Mr. Harte was a good friend of, and instrumental
in building up, the Welder Wildlife Foundation. He also actively helped bring
the Texas Farm Land Trust to Texas. In addition, he has worked closely with the
Nature Conservancy. Mr. Harte also worked to bring 4-year status to our
local university and subsequently donated $46 million to create the Harte Research
Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies and $6 million for the Creative Arts Center
at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.
Chairman's
Award Given for commitment to and extraordinary effectiveness in preserving
Texas' rich coastal heritage. Tarpon Tomorrow, Corpus
Christi, Texas For extraordinary efforts in bringing together anglers, scientists
and concerned citizens in a multinational effort to increase the scientific knowledge
of Tarpon, and find solutions to the threats facing the species. In July
2000 a group of concerned anglers and scientists in Corpus Christi Texas joined
together to promote research and restoration of Tarpon to its historical range.
As a result, the 1st International Tarpon Symposium was held in Port Aransas,
Texas at the UT Marine Science Institute on Feb. 15-16 of 2001. The symposium
involved presentation of almost twenty scientific papers and participation of
over 100 anglers and scientists from around the world. The number of presentation
doubled the entire amount of peer reviewed scientific research on the species.
Miss Yvonne Blandon, of the Texas Parks & Wildlife was the symposium director.
Dr. Joan Holt was the President of the Symposium and Executive Chief Editor of
the published proceedings. Ben Vaughan provided historical context and opening
remarks and the keynote speaker was Dr. Roy Crabtree. The symposium was co-sponsored
by the Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program, Texas A&M University -Corpus Christi,
the Coastal Conservation Association and Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation. As
noted by Paul Swacina, President and Founder of Tarpon Tomorrow, the goal of the
original symposium was to bring together a diverse group of researchers, managers
and fishermen in an atmosphere of sharing and synthesis. Proceedings became a
reference point in Tarpon biology and research and the technical sessions lead
by distinguished presenters summarized the results of Tarpon research, monitoring
and management. The materials were collected and published in a special issue
of the scholarly journal "Contributions to Marine Science" which was published
by the UT Press in late 2002. Tarpon Tomorrow, working in cooperation with
International Game Fish Association, Bone Fish & Tarpon Unlimited and the Florida
Dept. of Conservation held a 2nd International Fish Symposium on January 9-11,
2003 at the IGAFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum in Dana Beach, Florida. This time
the subject matter had been expanded to include both bonefish and tarpon. The
two days of activities included workshops, roundtables and scientific paper presentations
by anglers and scientists from around the world. A book the of the collection
of integrated and synthesizing papers from the 2nd symposium is tentatively entitled,
"The World Fisheries and Biology of Tarpon and Bone Fish (J.S. Ault, R. Humminson,
J. Schratweiser, R. Kramer and G. Kelly, Editors) will soon be published by CRC
Press. The 3rd International Tarpon and Bonefish Workshop was held in Vera
Cruz, Mexico on May 9-10, 2004. Again, the Symposium Director was Yvonne Blandon.
Dr. Wes Tunnell with the Harte Research Institute was the keynote speaker and
there were scientific presenters, sportsmen and fisheries managers from around
the world who attended and presented at the workshop. It is anticipated that many
of the scientific presentations will be compiled into a second special issue of
the scientific journal, Contributions to Marine Science by the year 2006. The
next International Symposium may be held in South Florida, January 2006. The 5th
International Symposium is tentatively scheduled for Cuba if politically feasible
or, as an alternative, Puerto Rico in 2008. While numerous people have
been instrumental in the continued success of Tarpon Tomorrow, a few individuals
stand out for their longstanding contributions to the continuing work in research
and restoration of Tarpon. They are here on behalf of Tarpon Tomorrow to accept
the award: Paul Swacina, President and Founder, Joan and Scott Holt, with UT Marine
Science Institute, David McKee of Texas A&M Corpus Christi, Yvonne Blandon, Texas
Parks & Wildlife and Ben Vaughan.
Conservation & Environmental
Stewardship Award The award criteria were outlined by a committee of CBBF.
Nominations were solicited from throughout the Coastal Bend.
An independent Selection Committee, chaired by
Dr. J.W. (Wes)
Tunnell, determined the winners in each of the categories. Other awards Selection
Committee members included:
Education - Linda Simpson, Region II Service
Center; Business - Alan Bligh, Better Business Bureau;
Non-Profits
- Jim Moloney, Energy Gas Compression, Ltd.;
State Agencies - Smiley
Nava, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department;
Federal Agencies - Robyn
Cobb, US Fish and Wildlife, Private Citizens - Johnny French
Industry
- John La Rue, Port of Corpus Christi .
CBBF Chair Maggie Moorhouse
selected the Chairman's Award.
CBBF received nearly
50 nominations this year. According to awards chairman Maggie Moorhouse, "We were
delighted so many great nominations were submitted for the second year in a row.
The only problem we had selecting winners was difficult. I was glad we had a selection
committee in place to review the nominations because I wanted to give every nominee
an award. The winners were thrilled to learn they had been chosen for this special
award. We want to honor local efforts to protect the environment."
The
awards will be presented at the Second Annual CBBF Conservation and Environmental
Stewardship Awards Dinner, to be held on Friday, October 22, 2004 at 5:00 PM at
the Solomon P. Ortiz International Center, located at 402 Harbor Drive in Corpus
Christi.
The artwork on this year's invitation was designed by local
artist Victoria Marcellan Allen, who created the original Coastal Bend
Bays Foundation logo in 1989. Sponsor favors and speaker gifts were designed by
third graders at Windsor Park Elementary. Students block printed designs
of coastal bend wildlife during art class. A total of eight designs will be used.
The students used the Coastal Bend Land Trust's "Wildlife in Focus" book as a
guide to study endangered species and wildlife in the Coastal Bend.
The evening will kick-off with a silent auction featuring nature tourism and adventure
activities including birding, kayaking, fishing and boating activities. In addition,
several local artists that feature natural resources in their work have been invited
to contribute to the silent auction. Each of the award winners will be recognized
and receive their award.
Proceeds from the event will be used to continue
the work of CBBF, such as Earth Day and the monthly educational meetings.
The keynote speaker for the dinner will be Dr. Paul Montagna of UTMSI
. His address will focus on "Emerging Practices to Manage Freshwater Inflows."
Sponsor tables can be purchased for $1,000 (VIP seating) or
$500 (basic seating) and individual tickets are available for $50 (Friend of the
Bay) or $35 (general admission). Additional event and ticket information is available
online at www.baysfoundation.org or by calling Teresa Carrillo, Executive Director,
CBBF, at (361) 882-3439.
TOP SPONSOR for this year's banquet
is once again the Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program, our most important
project partner. Other 2004 sponsors include Environmental Defense, Nueces River
Authority, Sierra Club, the Port of Corpus Christi Authority, Oxy Chem, the Harte
Research Institute, HEB, Flint Hills Resources and Valero.
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 in 1991 and dedicated to the conservation
of freshwater and coastal natural resources through communication, advocacy, research
and education.
CBBF sponsors the annual Earth Day-Bay Day event, founded
the Coastal Bend Land Trust, partnered in the creation of the Coastal Bend Wildlife
Photo Contest, and we continue to do much more. For additional information on
membership, please contact Teresa Carrillo at (361) 882-3439.
2003 Award Winners
Public Service- Mr. Art Morris, TPWD
Citizen Volunteer-Mrs. Pat Suter
Organization or Nonprofit Group-Coastal
Bend Land Trust Wildlife Photo Contest
Small Business-Gill's
Nursery
Coastal Community- City of Aransas Pass, Texas
Business
and Industry- Flint Hills Resources LP
Individual Coastal Contribution-Dr.
Donna J. Shaver, USGS, Padre Island National Seashore
Education and Public
Awareness-Dr. Henry Hildebrand
CBBF Chairman's Award-Nueces Delta Project:
Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program, the Nature Conservancy of Texas, and
the City of Corpus Christi
| The Awards Program
recognizes outstanding Coastal Bend Citizens,
Educators, Businesses, Governing
Bodies and other entities that
have made significant contributions to the
conservation and protection
of our natural resources, habitats and native
species. Proceeds help the Coastal Bend Bays Foundation
provide outreach,
research and educational opportunities promoting conservation
of
freshwater and coastal natural resources.
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