Gulf Program Seeks Entries for 2008 Gulf Guardian Awards

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, MS. - The Gulf of Mexico Program is currently soliciting entries for the 2008 Gulf Guardian Awards Program. The entry forms for the award are available online at http://www.epa.gov/gmpo/gulfguard.html. The deadline for applications is May 1, 2008.

The Gulf of Mexico Program partnership developed 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 Guardian Award exemplifies what the Gulf of Mexico Program stands for; innovative solutions that occur when we pool resources and look for creative ways to tackle the region’s complex coastal environmental challenges in ways that also positively impact our quality of life and economic well being. The Gulf Program recognizes annually a first, second, and third winner in each of the seven categories: 1) Business, 2) Government, 3) Civic/Nonprofit Organizations, 4) Youth/Education, 5) Partnerships, 6) Individual and 7) Binational, which jointly honors U.S/Mexico Partnership programs and projects.

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 Program is sponsored 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, environmentalist, 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.

The Gulf of Mexico Program encourages you to apply for this prestigious award. To apply, go to the web address above and click on the “2008 Gulf Guardian Application” link. The application is available in English and Spanish. Please email your completed application to gulf.guardian@epa.gov. For more information, please call Diane Altsman at 228-688-7015 or LaKeshia Robertson at 228-688-1712.