NOAA 97-R903
   

Contact: Greg Hernandez,                FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
               Matt Stout               4/22/97          
               NOAA Public Affairs

NOAA RECOGNIZES LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEROES AS PART OF EARTH DAY CELEBRATIONS

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration today presented a number of Floridians with its Local Environmental Hero award as part of Earth Day 1997 celebrations across the United States.

For the second year in a row, NOAA recognized local citizens who have volunteered their efforts to "protect and preserve" the nation's environment. This year's awards focused on the marine environment in keeping with the International Year of the Coral Reef, which NOAA is spearheading along with other domestic and foreign organizations.

Vice President Al Gore congratulated these environmental heroes in a letter, saying, "Through citizen service, we recognize that we are responsible for one another. It is a very American idea that we meet our challenges as a member of a community, all working together. Thank you for the service you perform to protect and preserve our environment."

In Islamorada, Florida Keys, the environmental heroes being honored were:

Laddie Akins of the Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF), a non-profit organization headquartered in Key Largo, which is dedicated to protecting marine life through education, service, and research.

Alexander Stone, Executive Director of Project Reefkeeper, a non-profit conservation organization dedicated exclusively to the protection of coral reefs and their marine life.

Paul Silverman and Fred Tooker of Florida Bay Watch, a program established in 1993 currently boasting 200 volunteers who monitor the quality of Florida Bay.

Sally Mishmash of Coral Reef Sweepers, who coordinates a one-day reef cleanup effort bringing together commercial and recreational fishermen and charter boat captains and other waterfront professionals.

Students Saving The Coral Reef, composed of eight south Florida students ranging in age from seven to 22, united in support of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

Enviro-thon Champions, students of the Coral Shores High School Enviro-thon team who in 1996 won the state high school environmental enviro-thon competition.