ATLANTA - Today, the Gulf of Mexico Plan announced that Dr. Richard D. Schulterbrandt Gragg III will gain a 3rd Place 2015 Gulf Guardian Award in the Individual Category. The award will be given tonight at an awards ceremony at the Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Diane Altsman, Chief of Staff of the Gulf of Mexico Plan said, "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. 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."
Dr. Richard D. Schulterbrandt Gragg III has contributed to the development of the Florida A&M University School of the Environment, Center for Environmental Equity and Justice, and the education and training of B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. environmental scientists from underrepresented groups. Working as an Associate Professor of Environmental Science and Policy, he has proven his dedication to public service and leadership in higher education spanning administration, teaching, scholarship and public service. In addition, he has demonstrated passion and commitment to community engagement and the protection of the environment and human health. He has promoted and practiced community based participatory action as well as the integration of environmental science and public policy in his teaching, research and service activities.
Dr. Gragg has actively promoted environmental justice as a member and in partnership with in excess of a dozen public and private entities including Florida Department of Environmental Protection- Community Environmental Health Advisory Board, Florida Department of Health, Executive Council and Health and Research Subcommittee, and the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council- E.P.A.. In collaboration with others, he has secured over $59 million by identifying and pursuing sources of grant backing to conduct environmental science, justice, health and policy research, developing proposals for state and federal agencies and foundations. He has collaboratively designed and executed research projects on 17 plans to date, published 28 manuscripts and technical documents and participated in 55 local, national and international presentations. Because of this passion and commitment, he has served above and beyond the call of duty to educate and train students from underrepresented groups and conduct research in environmental science and policy with an emphasis in environmental justice. As a result of Dr. Gragg's contributions, Florida has been acknowledged as a trailblazer at the forefront of addressing environmental justice issues.
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.
Connect with E.P.A. Region four on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/eparegion4
And on Twitter: @EPASoutheast
