[StBernard] National Wildlife Federation for Coastal Louisiana Restoration Receives GULF GUARDIAN AWARD

[Westley Annis]

National Wildlife Federation for Coastal Louisiana Restoration Receives GULF
GUARDIAN AWARD 

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. - The Gulf of Mexico Program recently announced
that the National Wildlife Federation of Baton Rouge, Louisiana will receive
a first place Gulf Guardian Award for 2008 in the Civic/Non-profit Category
for their work on Coastal Louisiana Restoration.   The 2008 Gulf Guardian
awards hold a special significance this year as they will be awarded in
conjunction with the Gulf of Mexico Program's 20th Anniversary Celebration!
(1988-2008).  The  awards ceremony will be held on October 29, 2008 at
approximately 6 p.m., at the Hilton Riverside Hotel, Versailles Ballroom in
New Orleans, Louisiana. 

National Wildlife Federation's (NWF) Coastal Louisiana Habitat Restoration
Initiative addressed the severe impacts on wildlife habitat wrought by
hurricanes Katrina and Rita.  Since May 2007, NWF has recruited volunteers
from across the country to work in more than 13 state and federal refuges
and parks in coastal Louisiana.  More than 1,000 volunteers have planted
trees and marsh grass, removed invasive species, restored trails, built and
installed wood duck nest boxes, removed trash and debris and collected
native seeds for future use in restoration.  NWF's Initiative has held 90
project days and recruited 1,060 volunteers.  This initiative has enabled
volunteers to do meaningful work to restore coastal forests and marshes on
these public lands.  It has offered environmentally-minded volunteers a way
to help in the recovery effort post-Katrina and Rita.  

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.  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. 

"Gulf Guardian award winners represent the very best in efforts to ensure
the Gulf of Mexico region remains a place where people, industry, and the
environment can continue to thrive," said EPA Regional Administrator Richard
E. Greene.  "Their accomplishments are making a positive difference for
everyone, and EPA is pleased to recognize their environmental leadership." 

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.  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 and is proud to be celebrating 20 years in
partnership to protect the health and productivity of the Gulf of Mexico. 

Bryon Griffith, Director of the Gulf of Mexico Program said "After 9 years
of conducting the Gulf Guardian Awards Program, I never cease to be amazed
by the quality and depth of environmental accomplishments across the Gulf of
Mexico region.  The 2008 award winners will play an important part of the
Gulf of Mexico Program's 20th anniversary celebration. (1988-2008)   These
special winners proudly illustrate for all of us what committed citizens,
communities, governments, and businesses that share a common vision can do
to improve, protect, and sustain our regional and national treasure, the
Gulf of Mexico.    

For a list of all the Gulf Guardian Award winners for 2008, visit the Gulf
of Mexico Program web site at http://www.epa.gov/gmpo
<http://www.epa.gov/gmpo>  and click on the Gulf Guardian Award button. 
      

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 http://www.epa.gov/gmpo.