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Scenic Galveston, Inc. receives Gulf Guardian Award

Release Date: 12/05/2006
Contact Information: Dave Bary or Tressa Tillman at 214-665-2200 or [email protected]

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. – The Gulf of Mexico Program recently announced that SCENIC GALVESTON, Inc. of Galveston, Texas, will receive a third place Gulf Guardian Award for 2006 in the Civic/Non-Profit Category for the Virginia Point Peninsula Preserve located in West Galveston Bay near Texas City, Texas. The awards will be presented during the 3rd National Conference on Coastal and Estuarine Habitat Restoration on December 13, 2006 at the Hilton Riverside Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana, beginning at 6 p.m.

In February 2004, SCENIC GALVESTON Inc. (SG) acquired 1,500-acres of the historic Virginia Point peninsula along the shore of West Galveston Bay near Texas City. The Virginia Point Preserve, the Upper Texas Coast’s “Acquisition of the New Millennium,” will be preserved in perpetuity. Its diverse habitats, which include a rich and unique mix of tidal and freshwater wetlands, tidal flats, oyster reef, high marsh meadows, and coastal prairie support diverse wildlife. It will also protect the remains of Fort Hebert, a Confederate fortification that played a pivotal role in the Civil War battle for Galveston, as well as remnants of a historic post-War plantation and town site. The project was innovative in that it was executed with minimal local cash match but considerable in-kind match, and that it was executed by an all-volunteer organization with no paid staff. Scenic Galveston received volunteer legal assistance, financial management, and project management. As with all SG’s conservation activities, this effort was funded by leveraging in-kind contributions to procure federal grants, with minimal overhead costs.

The Gulf of Mexico Program initiated the Gulf Guardian awards in 2000 as a way to recognize and honor the businesses, community groups, individuals, and agencies that are taking positive steps to keep the Gulf healthy, beautiful and productive. The Gulf of Mexico Program began in 1988 to protect, restore, and maintain the health and productivity of the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem in economically sustainable ways. Award entries were received from Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. A first, second, and third place award are given each year in seven categories – individual, business, youth and education, nonprofit organizations, government, partnership and bi-national efforts.

"The issues affecting the Gulf Coast are among the most dynamic and variable that the nation faces, and the collaborating partners who address these issues daily exhibit the diverse range of skills needed to advance environmental protection in the region," EPA Regional Administrator Richard E. Greene said. "I applaud this year's winners of the Gulf Guardian Awards for their leadership and their ability to join together and achieve extraordinary goals."

Gulf of Mexico Program Office Director Bryon O. Griffith said, “This year’s Gulf Guardian Award winners exemplify the bond that engaged citizens, communities, governments, and businesses share for protecting the ecological engine that drives the economy of the Region and much of the Nation, the Gulf of Mexico, “America’s Sea.” The 2006 award winners illustrate the limitless results that can be attained when we effectively share and focus our resources and strengths to address complex environmental problems.”

For a list of all the Gulf Guardian Award winners for 2006, visit the Gulf of Mexico Program web site at https://www.epa.gov/gmpo and click on the Gulf Guardian Award button.

The Gulf of Mexico Program is underwritten by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and is a non-regulatory, inclusive consortium of state and federal government agencies and representatives of the business and agricultural community, fishing industry, scientists, environmentalists, and community leaders from all five Gulf States. The Gulf Program seeks to improve the environmental health of the Gulf in concert with economic development.

Editor’s Note: For more information about the Gulf Guardian Awards and the Gulf of Mexico Program, call the Gulf of Mexico Program Office at 228-688-3726 or visit our web site at https://www.epa.gov/gmpo. For more information about SCENIC GALVESTON, Inc. call Lalise Mason at (713) 664-1584.