ATLANTA - Today the Gulf of Mexico Plan announced that Tampa Bay Estuary Plan & Restore America's Estuaries will gain a 3rd Place 2015 Gulf Guardian Award in the Partnerships 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."
In 2012, the Tampa Bay Environmental Restoration Fund (TBERF) was initiated by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation with the goal providing backing through a competitive application process for plans that will protect, restore or enhance the natural resources of Tampa Bay and its contributing watershed. The Tampa Bay Estuary Plan and the national non-profit organization Restore America's Estuaries encourage contributors from both public and private sectors to participate. Backing for TBERF has been provided by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Southwest Florida Water Management District, The Mosaic Company Foundation, Manatee County, Hillsborough County, Pinellas County, the Florida Department of Transportation, TECO Energy and the Tampa Port Authority to date. Each suggestion is required to have a dollar-for-dollar match, further leveraging the impact of the grant funds.
In addition to the awarded plans benefiting Tampa Bay, they also provide substantial benefit to the Gulf of Mexico. The restoration objectives for TBERF are virtually identical to those of Gulf of Mexico coastal areas. In particular, restoration of coastal habitats, oyster reefs and tidal tributaries enhance the quality of Gulf fisheries nursery areas and reduction of pollutants in runoff enhance water quality and support seagrass recovery critical to both resident and Gulfwide wildlife stocks.
In 2013 and 2014, TBERF awarded $1.5M of Backing of a total of 18 plans for such activities as providing 1,500 acres of coastal habitat restoration, treating urban runoff from 500+ acres, and protecting colonial waterbird islands. In 2014, nearly $625,000 was awarded for plans resulting in such activities as in the restoration of not only 8,500 feet of oyster reefs, but also 26 acres of coastal wetland habitat and almost 200 acres of freshwater marsh habitat. In May 2015, TBERF will leverage public funds with private sector contributions to provide increased resources for restoring and protecting the natural systems of Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. As a result, TBERF is being acknowledged for awarding plans that meet both the restoration goals for Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, having plans with measurable environmental benefits and creating a transferable model for other regions.
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.
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