NOAA 98-R122

Contact:  Gordon Helm                   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                                        5/1/98

ASSISTANT COMMERCE SECRETARY GARCIA NAMES ENVIRONMENTAL HERO
Head of Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana Honored

Assistant Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere Terry Garcia today presented the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Environmental Hero Award to Mark Davis, executive director of the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana, for his leadership role in protecting coastal wetlands.

Garcia is in Baton Rouge to participate in Louisiana Governor Mike Foster's Wetlands May Day, joining with local, state and federal partners and private citizens to address Louisiana's wetland loss crisis while celebrating wetland conservation and restoration successes.

"Each year, NOAA presents the Environmental Hero Award to members of the public for their work and contributions to conserving and protecting the environment," said Garcia. "This award is being given to Mark for his outstanding leadership of a non-profit organization dedicated to restoring and preserving Louisiana's coastal resources."

Since 1996 NOAA has recognized individuals and organizations throughout the United States for their "tireless efforts to preserve and protect the nation's environment." Vice President Al Gore sent each of the heroes a letter congratulating them for their "passionate commitment to the protection of our nation's environment."

This year there are 25 Environmental Heroes. Among those honored are: Jean-Michel Cousteau, head of the Jean-Michel Cousteau Institute, who has spent his life exploring the world's oceans aboard the research vessels Calypso and Alcyone; Dr. Sylvia Earle, explorer in residence at the National Geographic, who has spent more than 6,000 hours doing underwater diving and research; Ted Danson, president of the American Oceans Campaign, an organization dedicated to protecting and preserving the vitality of coastal waters, estuaries, bays, wetlands and deep oceans; and noted marine photographer Bob Talbot who has donated the beautiful images he creates to NOAA for a variety of projects aimed at protecting marine resources, both during the International Year of the Coral Reef and the International Year of the Ocean.