Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/127088
Sarasota News Leader May 3, 2013 Page 63 SBEP ANNOUNCES 2013 BLUE DOLPHIN AWARD WINNERS The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP) Fox manages the popular bird hospital for has announced the 2013 winners of Blue Dol- Save Our Seabirds, also located in Sarasota, phin Awards, which acknowledge local cham- the release adds. pions of Sarasota Bay. The SBEP Blue Dolphin Awards program was The recipients are Don and Denise Elliott with launched in 2012. The inaugural winners were Sunbow Bay Condominium Association on Jack Merriam, the former environmental manAnna Maria Island, Sean Russell with the Stow ager for Sarasota County; Martha B. King MidIt Don't Throw It Project and Lee Fox with dle School in Bradenton; AMI Turtle Watch Save Our Seabirds Inc., a news release says. and Shorebird Monitoring; Raindrop Cisterns, The Elliotts are being acknowledged "for their a company focused on rainwater harvesting; efforts to create a Bay-friendly demonstration and Charles Edwards, a long-term volunteer garden at Sunbow Bay," which is located on with the SBEP Citizens Advisory Committee, Anna Maria Island, the release adds. SBEP the release points out. provided Bay Partner Grants to support the Members of the SBEP Policy Board presented multi-year project. those awards during a ceremony held at PowRussell, a Sarasota resident who attends the el Crosley Estate in Manatee County, the reUniversity of Florida, has helped raise aware- lease continues. The program attracted more ness about preventing marine debris and than 150 local professionals focused on the supporting ocean conservation through the welfare of Sarasota Bay, it adds. Stow It Don't The 2013 Throw It awards will Project, a be presented nonprofit during events organization throughout he founded, the year, the the release continues. release says. He also helps The first organize the award was annual Youth given to the Ocean ConElliotts this servation week at the Summit held SBEP Citiat Mote Mazens Advisorine Labora- Denise and Don Elliott receive their Blue Dolphin Award from ry Committory, the re- Mark Alderson and Sara Kane with the Sarasota Bay Estuary tee meeting. lease notes. Program. Contributed photo