DALLAS - (July 30, 2015) The Gulf of Mexico Plan recently announced Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Plan (BTNEP) will gain a 2nd Place 2015 Gulf Guardian Award in the Partnerships Category. The awards ceremony will be held on July 30, 2015, at the Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi, Texas.
"The Gulf of Mexico is a precious natural resource not only to the communities that thrive on its shores but to communities far away that rely on its bounty," said Ron Curry, E.P.A. regional administrator. "Gulf Guardians play an important role in reminding all of us about our shared responsibility in protecting our Gulf."
"This is the 13
th year if the Gulf Guardian Awards Program, and I am proud to say that each year the winners in all categories have represented the very best of environmental accomplishments in the Gulf of Mexico," said Diane Altsman, Chief of Staff of the Gulf of Mexico Program. "The Gulf of Mexico Plan partnership works to enhance the environmental health of the Gulf, and the Gulf Guardian Awards is an important way for us to recognize these valuable efforts."
For the past 3 years, BTNEP has hosted the Bayou Lafourche Cleanup in Thibodaux, LA. In excess of 3100 volunteers have collected about 58 tons of trash along 106 miles of Bayou Lafourche. Under the direction of Alma Robichaux, BTNEP Education/Outreach Coordinator, this increasingly popular event raises awareness about litter and EPA's Trash Free Waters goals. The plan aims to change citizens' behavior by recording the volume and types of materials retrieved from water annually to assess likely sources of litter. Reducing the amount of trash and litter entering waterways helps enhance and protect people's health and the health and productivity of the Gulf itself.
Through Bayou Lafourche Cleanup, local citizens have been inspired to keep trash out of bayous year-round. Nicholls State University students also help by assessing the type and quantity of trash collected, and work to educate bayous communities on reducing litter. BTNEP engages businesses, municipalities, researchers, and many others in the cleanup effort, partnering with the Bayou Lafourche Freshwater District, Shell, Port Fourchon, Walmart, and other local sponsors. By bringing together diverse support to help create "Trash Free Waters," the Bayou Lafourche Clean Up plan inspires other people to make the right choice by becoming better Gulf stewards.
The Gulf of Mexico Plan 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. First, 2nd and 3rd place awards are given in 7 categories: individual, business/industry, youth environmental education, civic/nonprofit organizations, cultural diversity/environmental justice, partnership and bi-national efforts.
The Gulf of Mexico Plan 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 Plan is underwritten by the E.P.A. 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 5 Gulf States. The Gulf Plan looks for to enhance the environmental health of the Gulf in concert with economic development
For more information about EPA's Gulf of Mexico Program: http://www.epa.gov/gmpo/
Connect with E.P.A. Region 6:
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eparegion6
On Twitter: https://twitter.com/EPAregion6
Activities in E.P.A. Region 6: http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/region6.htm
