NOAA
Names Environmental Heroes
April 20, 2001
Contact:
Connie Barclay, NOAA 2001-R414
The National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has named six National Ocean
Service volunteers as Environmental Heroes for 2001. This is the sixth
consecutive year in which the Commerce Department agency has recognized
local citizens throughout the United States who have contributed to
the protection and preservation of the nation's coastal and marine environment.
"On behalf
of the 12,500 men and women working for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, I am pleased to present these individuals with 2001
Environmental Hero Awards," said Scott Gudes, acting administrator for
NOAA. "This award recognizes their dedicated efforts and outstanding
accomplishments to benefit the environment and make our nation a better
place for all Americans."
Each year
NOAA invites its line offices to submit nominations for Environmental
Hero Awards. This year there are a total of 27 honorees. Gudes sent
each of the environmental heroes a personal letter of congratulations,
and some are being honored in ceremonies centered around Earth Day,
April 23.
Deborah
Pardike is an influential local citizen from Alpena, Mich., involved
in the designation of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater
Preserve, the latest addition to the 13-site National Marine Sanctuary
system. She has volunteered countless hours, providing input on community
issues and concerns to NOAA and the state of Michigan during the sanctuary
designation process.
Robert
Michelson, a professional photographer and videographer has been a staunch
advocate and supporter of Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary
in Massachusetts. He has donated significant amounts of time and talent,
including wildlife and underwater photography and video, to the sanctuary.
Bob Breen
has worked closely with California's Gulf of the Farallones National
Marine Sanctuary. He has been an active volunteer during oil spills,
and he teaches a special course at a local high school for children
interested in marine biology and the ocean.
Richie
Moretti is the founder of the Turtle Hospital in Marathon, Fla., which
opened in 1986. He has recruited many volunteers to assist with sea
turtle surgery, care and feeding, and public outreach to ensure the
continued health of these threatened species within the Florida Keys
National Marine Sanctuary.
Theodore
H. Below won the Environmental Hero Award for his work as an avid bird
watcher. Below has studied the birds in the mangrove islands on the
Rookery Bay National Estuarine Reserve in Florida for more than 25 years.
Below has spent much of his life trying to understand habitats, species
and natural phenomenon.
Francis
"Paul" Spadaro, president of the Magothy River Association, has provided
years of outstanding leadership to this organization, which is devoted
to the protection and enhancement of marine life in the Magothy River
in Maryland. Spadaro has formed a strong volunteer network to help restore
oysters to Chesapeake Bay. His dedication and leadership are making
a real difference.
For more
information on NOAA, please visit http://www.noaa.gov.
